<<This Month’s Vegetable

Zucchini overload isn’t a problem just for gardeners and their neighbors. Summer squash’s abundance makes it extremely cheap, which can lure anyone into over-buying.

Happily, there’s an easy way to put all that squash to good use: Add it to whatever else you’re making! Summer squash has such a mild flavor that it can be added to practically anything, with wonderful benefits:

Added Nutrition Get an easy nutritional boost by sneaking shredded zucchini into anything from spaghetti sauce to meatloaf to muffins–and no one will ever know the difference (particularly picky eaters!)
Affordability Use inexpensive zucchini to stretch a recipe–and your grocery budget.
Delectable Moistness Take advantage of summer squash’s high water content to keep a dish moist. Turkey Zucchini Meatballs add shredded zucchini to white-meat turkey burger so you can have low-fat meatballs that aren’t dry as a bone.
Appetizing Color Add pretty yellow or green squash to a dish and get an attractive burst of color with very little extra work.

More Ideas for Using Versatile Zucchini

Soups Minestrone, the classic “leftovers” soup, is a perfect backdrop for zucchini, since it will complement practically any pasta, beans, rice, canned tomatoes, bits of meat or other left overs you need to use up.
Sandwiches and Pizzas Roast or pan-brown zucchini and get a tasty vegetable supplement for pizzas (even takeout pies) and sandwiches (like Open-Faced Zucchini Grillers, a hearty Italian-style sandwich.)
Stir Fries and Skillets Because they’re so easy to slice and dice, summer squash are a good vegetable addition to skillets like Zucchini Sausage Skillet. They are also perfect for stir fries–as long as they aren’t overcooked and mushy. Brown quickly over high heat; then remove until the stir fry is almost done to avoid overcooking, as in the recipe for Yellow Squash and Green Pepper Stir Fry with Ginger Sherry Sauce.
Mexican and Italian Foods Both of these cuisines take well to zucchini. Add thin slices of roasted or grilled zucchini to lasagna. Or brown slices of green patty pan squash and layer in a tortilla casserole with corn chips, ground chicken and enchilada sauce or mild salsa. Sauteed slices or small cubes of green and yellow zucchini can also be added to tacos and enchiladas.
Lynn’s Super Fast Pasta Dish Last month’s issue featured this easy recipe for spinach. Julienned strips of zucchini could be substituted for the spinach for a nice variation.

Once you discover how easily functional and versatile summer squash is, you'll say “thank goodness” for so much!

Added Nutrition With whole grain flour, zucchini, cranberries and nuts, you could say these Cranberry-Walnut Zucchini Muffins are a meal-in-one.

Affordability Asian Style Grilled Stuffed Mushrooms stretch costlier Cremini mushrooms into a complete side dish with an inexpensive zucchini-rice filling.