Summer squash, including the 1 oz crookneck and straightneck varieties, offer a low-calorie addition to your diet, with just 6 calories in a serving cooked with salt and drained. But these veggies bring more to the table than just a light snacking option. Here are some of the health benefits of summer squash.

Summer squash is a great source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium. These nutrients can help support your immune system, improve your heart health, and keep your bones strong. In addition, the high water content of summer squash can help you stay hydrated and potentially aid in digestion.

In this article, we'll explore ways to cook summer squash, recipes to try, nutrition facts, and more. Whether you're already a summer squash fanatic or looking to try something new and healthy, read on for tips and ideas.

Health Benefits of Summer Squash

Beyond just being low in calories, summer squash offers a variety of nutrients and potential health benefits. For example, the vitamin C content of summer squash can help boost your immune system and promote healthy skin. In addition, summer squash is a good source of potassium, which can help regulate blood pressure, and magnesium, which supports bone health. Finally, the high water content in summer squash can help keep you hydrated and potentially promote healthy digestion.

Ways to Cook Summer Squash

Summer squash is a versatile vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways. Here are a few options to consider: 1. Roasted: Cut the summer squash into chunks or slices, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roast in the oven until tender and slightly browned. 2. Grilled: Cut the summer squash into long, thin slices and grill over high heat until tender and slightly charred. Brush with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper before grilling, if desired.

Summer Squash Recipes

Looking for inspiration for how to use summer squash in your cooking? Here are a few recipes worth trying: 1. Summer Squash and Corn Chowder: This creamy, comforting soup is a great way to use up a lot of summer squash and corn at once. Sauté diced onion and garlic in butter until soft, then add diced summer squash and corn kernels. Cook until tender, then blend half the soup in a blender until smooth and return to the pot. Add cream, nutmeg, and chives, and simmer until heated through. 2. Baked Stuffed Summer Squash: Halve summer squash lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Mix together bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, diced onion, and minced garlic, and fill the squash halves with the mixture. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until tender and slightly browned on top.

Summer Squash Nutrition Facts

Here is a breakdown of the nutritional content of a 1 oz serving of cooked summer squash (crookneck or straightneck) with salt and drained: - calories: 6 - Fat: 0.1 g

Summer Squash vs Zucchini

Summer squash and zucchini are often used interchangeably in recipes, but they are actually two different vegetables. Here are a few key differences: - Shape: Summer squash tends to be more bulbous and round (such as the crookneck and straightneck varieties), while zucchini is more cylindrical. - Flavor: Summer squash is generally milder and sweeter in flavor than zucchini.

Summer Squash Varieties

In addition to the crookneck and straightneck varieties mentioned in the title, there are a few other types of summer squash worth knowing about: - Zucchini: As mentioned above, zucchini is a closely related vegetable that is often used in similar ways to summer squash. - Pattypan squash: These are small, flat, and disc-like, with a scalloped edge. They can be yellow or green, and are often used in stuffing recipes or grilled as a side dish.

How to Select and Store Summer Squash

When selecting summer squash at the grocery store or farmers' market, look for vegetables that are firm, with smooth skin and no blemishes or soft spots. They should feel heavy for their size. You can store summer squash in the fridge in a plastic bag for up to 5 days. Avoid washing it until you're ready to use it, as excess moisture can hasten spoilage.

Uses of Summer Squash

In addition to the cooking and recipe ideas mentioned earlier, summer squash can also be used in a few other ways: - Spiralized: If you have a spiralizer, you can turn summer squash into long, noodle-like strands that can be used in place of pasta. - Grated: Summer squash can be grated and used in recipes such as fritters or baked goods (such as zucchini bread).

Interesting Facts About Summer Squash

Here are a few fun facts about summer squash: - Squash is actually a fruit, not a vegetable. It's part of the same family as cucumbers and melons. - Summer squash is believed to have originated in Central America over 7,000 years ago.

Popular Summer Squash Dishes

Finally, here are a few more popular dishes that feature summer squash: - Ratatouille: This classic French dish features a variety of vegetables, including summer squash, eggplant, and tomatoes, in a flavorful stew. - Squash Casserole: A comforting, cheesy casserole that often includes summer squash and crackers or breadcrumbs in the topping.