Summer Squash is the August Harvest of the Month
This month’s Harvest is a catch-all phrase. It’s a word that describes many varieties of one vegetable. Its summer squash! Summer squash, as you may have imagined, is squash grown and harvested in the summer months. Unlike winter squash, summer squash has a thin, soft skin that is edible. There are several varieties of summer squash, but the most well-known are the crookneck, patty pan and zucchini.
During the month of August, you may find summer squash used more abundantly in a variety of recipes from our cafeterias.
Did You Know?
- Smaller summer squash have more flavor than large summer squash
- Summer squash can be eaten raw and may be enjoyed on salads or dipped in hummus
- Summer squash is an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, and fiber
Try These Delicious Recipes
Garden Stuffed Summer Squash
Pan Seared Summer Squash
Summer Squash Salad
How to Buy and Store: When buying summer squash, keep in mind that unlike winter squash, you are looking for squash with a relatively soft skin, but not to the point of feeling mushy. The skin of the best summer squash is not thick or tough. Do not wash summer squash until you are ready to prepare it. The shelf life of summer squash can be extended by storing the unwashed squash in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Making it Kid-Friendly: Serving summer squash is a great way to introduce kids to a new vegetable. It is does not have a bold flavor and some varieties can be nearly tasteless. Be aware of any texture aversions your children have. For example, some kids prefer to avoid mushy foods, in which case an al’ dente summer squash may make a better introduction. Another great option is to sub spiralized summer squash for spaghetti or angel hair pasta.
Nutrition and Health Benefits: Summer squash is a good source of vitamin C. Vitamin C aids in the production of collagen, an important protein that helps make new skin. Summer squash is also a low calorie food that contains fiber so it can help us to feel full even though we have consumed few calories. This is a very effective part of many weight loss approaches.
| Calories: 21 | Potassium: 290mg |
| Total Fat: 0.4g | Magnesium: 5% DV |
| Total Carbohydrate: 3.9g | Vitamin C: 33% DV |
| Protein: 1.5g | Fiber: 1.2g |
| Calcium: 1% DV | Vitamin B6: 10% DV |