Zucchini Squash Strata Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do zucchini and yellow squash need to be peeled? ›

Yellow squash does not need to be peeled, because the skin is so tender and thin. If you do prefer to peel your squash, peel it just like you would a carrot or a potato. Slice in half, lengthwise.

Tip: Shred your zucchini 1-2 days in advance. To do this, grate the zucchini using a cheese grater. Wrap in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out the excess water. Transfer the zucchini to an airtight container; chill until ready to use.

Baby squash is super tender, with tiny seeds and nutrient-dense flesh. Because of their small size, pattypan squash is perfect for cooking whole. Larger squash, like zucchini, tends to lose its flavor and become watery—making them better suited for baked goods or soups.

Unlike other types of squash, zucchinis have soft skin that's easy to digest. The skin, flowers, and seeds are all edible. Eating the skin also contributes to your daily intake of fiber.

The secret to zucchini with the best flavor and texture is roasting it in a 450°F oven. Roasting zucchini at a high temperature instead of baking or sautéing helps develop browning and a slight char on the outside, which keeps it from getting soggy.

You need 2 cups of grated zucchini for the recipe, so you will need about 3 small zucchini, 2 medium zucchini, or 1 large zucchini.

Do Store Fresh Zucchini in the Fridge. If properly stored, zucchini will last up to a week. The best way to store zucchini is in the refrigerator, preferably in the crisper drawer where humidity is kept to a minimum.

When sliced, 1 medium zucchiniyielded about 1 to 1.25 cups and if grated, you end up with about 2/3 cup of tamped down zucchini. If you need 1 cup of cooked sliced zucchini, due to shrinkage while heated it will take about 3 medium zucchini, sliced, to hit the mark.

If you have nausea, diarrhea, itchy skin, or other allergy symptoms with both cooked and raw zucchini, avoid it. Raw zucchini can also cause gas and bloating, especially if you overdo it. Zucchini is rich in fiber that your gut doesn't digest.

Salt causes zucchini rounds to release excess water. This important extra step helps the zucchini to sauté rather than stew in its own juices.

Why is my zucchini so slimy when I cook it? ›

Things You Should Know. If you see mold, black spots, browning, yellowing, shriveling, or wrinkling on the skin of your zucchini, it has likely gone bad. A soft, mushy, or slimy texture also indicates spoilage.

Disadvantage: summer squash retains a lot of water so you are using up space in your freezer; when thawed the zucchini will be mushy so don't plan on sauteeing or using in a recipe that will be affected by the extra liquid.

'Costata Romanesco'

This old-fashioned Italian variety is the best zucchini I have ever eaten. The ribbed fruits are attractive, and the dense flesh is packed with delicious zucchini flavor. Because the flesh is less watery than that of the higher-yielding commercial varieties, it remains firmer when cooked.

Wash squash and cut off ends before eating. The peel is edible and mild. Squash can be eaten raw or cooked.

Zucchini (courgette), summer squash, or yellow squash does not have to be peeled because it has a very thin, edible skin. In fact, the skin, seeds, and flowers are all edible!

In fact, squash peel is completely edible. All of it. It's actually very nutritious too, with plenty of fibre and a rich source of vitamin A. Of course, 'edible' simply means that eating it isn't dangerous, and it doesn't necessarily follow that it will be pleasant to eat.

You can eat the skin, so there's no need to peel it. Simply halve it, scoop out the seeds and chop it into chunks, then roast it and add it to a warm winter salad or throw it into curries, stews or soups. You can also roast the seeds and eat them as a snack or sprinkled over a finished dish.