Roasted Summer Squash Food

ROASTED SUMMER SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Cover a large baking sheet (see Tip) with foil; lightly coat with cooking spray. Set aside. Halve squash lengthwise. Cut the squash into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
• Toss the squash slices with oil, kosher salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Arrange the slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 10 to 15 minutes or until the slices are tender and golden.

ROASTED SUMMER SQUASH BOATS

Steps:

• Slice squash in half lengthwise. With a sharp spoon, scoop out the soft inside portion of the squash to form a canoe shape. Chop the squash innards roughly and set aside.
• Heat oil in a frying pan. Add onions and garlic, saute for one minute.
• Add squash innards and cook, stirring, about 2-3 minutes until most of the excess water has evaporated.
• Mix in cheese and tomato paste, cook 2-3 more minutes.
• Spoon this filling evenly into each squash boat. Sprinkle seasoning and pepper on top.
• Place boats in a nonstick baking dish, and bake at 170C for 20-25 minutes (depending on the size and thickness of the boats).

ROASTED SQUASH

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees F/200 degrees C.
• Slice the squash into 3/8 inch/3/4 cm half-moons. Toss with the olive oil to coat. Arrange in slightly overlapping rows on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Scatter over the thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Dot the squash with the butter, then bake, turning halfway through roasting, until the squash is soft with slightly candied brown edges, 30 minutes.

GARLIC ROASTED SUMMER SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
• Trim the ends from the squash, and cut each squash in half lengthwise. Cut the halves in half again crosswise, to make 4 pieces; cut those pieces in half twice more the long way, to make 16 short spears from each squash. Toss the squash with olive oil and garlic in a bowl; place into a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper.
• Roast the squash until the spears and garlic start to brown, 5 to 10 minutes. Check the squash after 5 minutes, and add time in 2- to 3-minute intervals to avoid burning.

MARINATED SUMMER SQUASH WITH HAZELNUTS AND RICOTTA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F. Toss squash and 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt in a colander; set over a bowl. Let sit 10 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels.
• Toss hazelnuts and 1 Tbsp. oil on a rimmed baking sheet and roast, shaking occasionally, until golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Let cool; crush into large pieces with a measuring cup or glass.
• Smack 3 mint sprigs against your cutting board a few times to release their flavor; mix in a large bowl with garlic, vinegar, sugar, red pepper flakes, and 2 Tbsp. oil; set dressing aside.
• Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high until shimmering. Arrange squash cut side down in skillet, breaking into smaller pieces if needed in order to fit in a single layer, and cook, moving around in pan to ensure even browning, until golden brown on cut side, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover (if you don't have a lid use a baking sheet), and continue to cook until very tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly.
• Cut squash into 2" pieces and toss in reserved dressing to coat; season with kosher salt and black pepper. Let sit at room temperature, tossing occasionally, 15 minutes. Pluck out mint sprigs; discard.
• Meanwhile, zest lemon half into a small bowl, mix in ricotta and remaining 1 Tbsp. oil; season with kosher salt. Hang on to that lemon.
• Spread lemon ricotta over platter. Top with squash and their juices. Squeeze reserved lemon over. Pull leaves from remaining mint sprigs (you want about 1/4 cup). Scatter mint and hazelnuts over squash. Drizzle generously with oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Serve with toast.

ROASTED ZUCCHINI AND YELLOW (SUMMER) SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450.
• Grease roasting pan with olive oil.
• Chop zucchini and yellow squash and put into large bowl.
• Drizzle olive oil over squash. Mix with a large spoon until squash is evenly coated.
• Pour squash into roasting pan and spread it out until it evenly covers the pan.
• Bake 15 to 20 minutes, stirring once until cooked through.