Recipe(tried): Favorite ways to cook summer squash (re: star shape squash)

Note: what you call a star shape squash is also known as a summer squash or a patty pan squash or (the old-fashioned name) as cymerlings; colours can include variations of greens or yellows : and some gourmet stands in the USA apparently sell an almost white version - very pale. Maybe hard to find - if you like it, farmer's or private markets are the best place to find it. ther main grocers in my area have never hear of it and don't want to stock it as a one-hit wonder!

Recipes for summer or zucchini squash are interchangeable the nicer versions are 1 1/2" or less in diameter: can cook whole in water or steam them or fry , or pierce and mircowave them: in a small glass casserole.

Also remove the blossum and tail end of it, and remove any blems or brown spots ( they bruise more so then a zucchini!) they are generally best used within 1-3 days after purchase.

My favorite ways to cook are:

- Use smaller verions & put into a sm frypan where you've previously cooked/removed diced sm Red or Green Onions ( can add Celery & Bell Peppers and Tomatoes too if desire) and add the sm whole prepared sqash: cook 5-10 min ( depends on amount of items you use/number of people you're cooking for this dish).

- Use larger version & hollow out insides, chop the insides then add onions and herbs/spices of choice, cooked white or kidney beans or lentils & bread crumbs: bake in an oven alongside a roast or chicken for last 30 min. or so - an effortless side dish!

- Can also dice/cook with zucchini/eggplant - per a ratatouille dish.

- Can also take larger versions where you slice through ( like a succhini) can either use as is or mix with a zucchini to either microwave or panfry/drain moisture off ( save the juices for soup stock!): add Mozza or Tex-Mex style cheese and another side dish is born!

( For added intrest an oiled grilled pan gives stripes or cross stripes as you turn over: doing on a BBQ best used with a grill pan (I don't have one) otherwise they tend to fall through the grills!

Does this help you at all?