« Top Chef: Interview with Eliminated Chef Jennifer Biesty | Main | Recipe Results: Orzo and Herbed Sugar Snap Peas »
Wednesday
Apr232008

Getting to Know You: Sunburst Squash

 

Name-Tag-Sunburst-Squash.JPG

AKA: Yellow Sunburst Squash, Pattypan Squash or Scallop Squash.  Pattypan Squash.  Pattypan Squash.  I think when the Tibetan Buddhists were reviewing candidates for a primary mantra, “Pattypan Squash” must have been on the short list before they decided upon Om Mani Padme Hum.  Just try to not feel benevolent and contented saying Pattypan Squash.  You can’t, can you?!

Appearance: Yellow and round with scalloped edges, a little green nub on one side and a bit of blossom scar on the other.  Generally small, about 2-4 inches.  Apparently also comes in green or white, although I assume those are just called Pattypan Squash (Pattypan Squash!  Pattypan Squash!) and not Sunburst.

Sunburst-Squash.jpg

(So deceptively adorable.  Do not believe it!)


Taste:  Erm.  Well, the people who like it say it tastes “mild and buttery” and “lighter and nuttier than zucchini.”  I say it tastes like zucchini with a wholly unpleasant bitter grapefruit type of flavor at the finish.

Growing Season/Area: In How to Pick a Peach, Russ Parsons says that while it’s known as summer squash, it’s actually more accurately considered a mild-weather crop that’s available throughout the year on a pretty consistent basis.  He also says that Florida, California and Georgia are the largest producers.

Buying: (Um, based on my experience, don’t.)  (But if you must.)  In How to Cook Everything, Mark Bittman says that you should pick the firmest ones possible, which usually means the smallest.  Avoid any that are dented, soft or bruised.  Plan for about 4-5 ounces per person, and 0 ounces per Leslie Seaton.

Storing: Store in a plastic bag (don’t wash yet) in crisper drawer and use ASAP.  Both Pioneer and Melissa's Organic say up to one week, but mine got brown very quickly (within a couple days).

Preparation:  Wash but do not peel.  Remove the stem and any of the scar on the opposite side.  When cooking, keep in mind that the size of the cut makes a big difference.  If you slice very thinly, it will melt into a rough puree consistency, so if you want more texture, keep the slices or dice thick.

Pairs well withJoy of Cooking says it’s great with “summer flavors like tomatoes, onions, peppers (sweet and chili), garlic, oregano, basil parsley, dill, rosemary, sage, and tarragon [as well as] lemon, cheese, butter, olive oil, capers."

Substitutions: Other summer squashes. I also read that it can be used to replace eggplant and carrots (although I would think it is much waterier than carrot so adjust recipes accordingly), and that very young squashes can be used in place of cucumber.

NutritionDr. Weil’s site says “Because [summer squash] is an unripe fruit, its nutritional value is unimpressive. It boasts fair amounts of carotenes, potassium and vitamin C.”

Recipe ideas:

PrintView Printer Friendly Version

EmailEmail Article to Friend

References (7)

References allow you to track sources for this article, as well as articles that were written in response to this article.
  • Response
    Vitamin K2 induces differentiation of leukemic cell lines and apoptosis of immature blasts in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). We recently reported a case of MDS- refractory anemia (MDS- RA) with trilineage hematologic response to oral administration of menatetrenone, a vitamin K2 analogue. To determine a possible role of this agent in treatment ...
  • Response
    Response: best diets
    Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L) is a plant traditionally used for the treatment of diabetes. It contains an unusual amino acid, 4- hydroxyisoleucine, demonstrated to have insulinotropic and antidiabetic properties in animal models. Here we examine the effect of 4- hydroxyisoleucine on liver function and blood glucose in two rat models ...
  • Response
    Response: Fruit Diet
    The body’ s skin can be affected by our daily activities like smoking, eating food with synthetic chemicals, and the environmental pollution that greet us everyday. These produce free radicals that can affect the human cells. This is when the skin ages. But with regular intake of Acai berry, the antioxidant ...
  • Response
    Response: herbsadvisor.info
    The group say their blood pressure has been reduced, their good cholesterol raised and the bad lowered, their energy has skyrocketed, and their lives have been dramatically changed. The diet they follow is strictly Atkins: Carbohydrates are almost eliminated and protein and fat are allowed. Though, because it is hospital- controlled, ...
  • Response
    Response: diet revealed
    My 5 year old is only allowed to chew sugar gum (which means Bubble Yum or the kind you can get at The Vitamin Cottage) and we all brush our teeth with Tom’ s. Perhaps this is what was particularly disturbing to me- the fact that my mother and I agree ...
  • Response
    Response: Heapt Food Company
    The Ads are not a an endorsement of the webmasters or writers on this site and are simply a means to facilitate our ability bring you more information not generally available via mainstream media. You are encouraged to take matters in your own hands with the tools and ideas provided on ...
  • Response
    Response: Fast Diet
    Is your body clean on the inside? Could you benefit from a total body cleansing? So if you decide that a detox might be just the thing your body needs, how do you go about getting it? There are different ways that you can detox your body. It is very important ...

Reader Comments

There are no comments for this journal entry. To create a new comment, use the form below.

PostPost a New Comment

Enter your information below to add a new comment.

My response is on my own website »
Author Email (optional):
Author URL (optional):
Post:
 
Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>