Description
Golden Patty Pan Squash Skillet delights palates with delicate summer squash and herb-infused seasonings. Simplified preparation and fresh ingredients create a quick Mediterranean-inspired side dish perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) patty pan squash (small, medium, or large; cut as needed)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil (divided for coating and cooking)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh herbs (chopped, like thyme, parsley, or dill)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced and divided)
- 1 tsp salt (to taste)
- 1 tsp pepper (to taste)
- ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional for topping)
Instructions
- Preparation: Rinse patty pan squash under running water, pat dry, and trim stems or blemishes. Slice larger squash into uniform chunks, keeping smaller ones whole.
- Seasoning: Coat squash with extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, kosher salt, black pepper, and optional herbs. Ensure even distribution of seasonings by gently tossing the pieces.
- Heating Skillet: Preheat a cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and wait until it shimmers and appears slightly rippled.
- Caramelizing: Arrange seasoned squash in a single layer across the hot skillet, avoiding overcrowding. Sear each side for 4-5 minutes, rotating to achieve a golden-brown exterior and tender interior that can be easily pierced with a fork.
- Finishing Touches: During the final minute of cooking, sprinkle remaining minced garlic and fresh herbs into the skillet. Gently fold to distribute flavors throughout the squash.
- Serving: Transfer the hot squash to a warm platter. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped herbs. Serve immediately, bringing the sizzling skillet directly to the table.
Notes
- Wash Carefully: Thoroughly clean patty pan squash to remove dirt and potential pesticides, ensuring food safety and better taste.
- Cut Strategically: Uniform chunk sizes guarantee even cooking and consistent texture across all squash pieces.
- Heat Control Matters: Medium-high heat creates perfect caramelization without burning, developing rich golden-brown exterior while maintaining tender interior.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Single layer placement in skillet prevents steaming and ensures crisp, beautifully browned squash with maximum flavor development.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 112
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 3 mg