What To Do With Summer Squash And Zucchini

What to do with summer squash and zucchini? The short answer is to cook it, bake it, grill it, freeze it, or share it, because summer squash and zucchini are some of the most versatile vegetables you’ll ever grow.
 
When you’re staring at a mountain of summer squash and zucchini on your kitchen counter, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but there are so many ways to use summer squash and zucchini that nothing has to go to waste.
 
Whether you’re dealing with a bumper crop from your garden or a great deal at the farmers market, knowing what to do with summer squash and zucchini makes all the difference.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through the best ways to use summer squash and zucchini, from simple weeknight dinners to clever preservation tricks, so you can enjoy every last one.
 
Let’s dig in.

What to Do With Summer Squash and Zucchini: The Best Ways to Use Them

There are so many things to do with summer squash and zucchini, and here are the best ones:

1. Cook Them Into Everyday Meals

One of the easiest things to do with summer squash and zucchini is to simply cook them into the meals you already make.
 
Sauté sliced summer squash and zucchini with garlic, olive oil, and a pinch of salt for a quick side dish that pairs with almost anything.
 
You can also fold them into pasta sauces, stir-fries, omelets, soups, and casseroles, where their mild flavor blends right in.
 
Because summer squash and zucchini both have a high water content, they soak up the flavors around them beautifully.
 
Just dice them, toss them in, and dinner is done.

2. Bake With Zucchini

If you’ve ever wondered what to do with zucchini that’s piling up, baking is a brilliant answer.
 
Zucchini bread, muffins, and even chocolate zucchini cake are classic ways to use zucchini because the shreds keep baked goods incredibly moist.
 
You can grate zucchini, squeeze out the excess water, and freeze the shreds in two-cup portions so you’re always ready to bake.
 
Summer squash works the same way, so don’t be shy about swapping it into your favorite zucchini recipes.
 
This is easily one of the most popular things to do with summer squash and zucchini when you have more than you can eat fresh.

3. Grill or Roast Them

Grilling and roasting are fantastic ways to use summer squash and zucchini because the high heat caramelizes their natural sugars.
 
Slice them lengthwise, brush them with olive oil, and season with salt, pepper, and herbs before hitting the grill.
 
Roasting at around 425°F brings out a deeper, sweeter flavor that even picky eaters tend to love.
 
These methods also help cook off some of the moisture, giving summer squash and zucchini a firmer, more satisfying texture.
 
Toss the finished slices into salads, grain bowls, or serve them straight off the tray.

How to Preserve Summer Squash and Zucchini So Nothing Goes to Waste

When you have more summer squash and zucchini than you can eat in a week, preserving is the way to go.

1. Freeze It

Freezing is one of the simplest ways to preserve summer squash and zucchini for later.
 
For slices or chunks, blanch them in boiling water for about three minutes, then plunge them into ice water, drain, and freeze on a tray before bagging.
 
For baking, grate the zucchini and summer squash raw, squeeze out the moisture, and freeze in pre-measured portions.
 
Frozen summer squash and zucchini hold up well in soups, stews, casseroles, and breads for months.

2. Pickle or Ferment Them

Pickling is a fun and tangy way to use summer squash and zucchini, especially the smaller ones.
 
Slice them into coins or spears and pack them into jars with vinegar, garlic, dill, and peppercorns.
 
Fermenting works too if you want a probiotic boost, and the crisp texture of summer squash and zucchini makes them perfect for it.
 
These jars keep for weeks in the fridge and make great snacks or sandwich toppers.

3. Dry or Dehydrate Them

Dehydrating summer squash and zucchini is another smart option when your harvest is out of control.
 
Slice them thin, dry them in a dehydrator or low oven, and store them in airtight jars.
 
Later, you can rehydrate them for soups and stews or grind them into a powder to sneak into sauces and smoothies.
 
It’s a space-saving way to deal with summer squash and zucchini that keeps for a long time.

4. Share the Bounty

And honestly, one of the best things to do with summer squash and zucchini is to give them away.
 
Neighbors, coworkers, food banks, and community fridges are almost always happy to take fresh produce off your hands.
 
Summer squash and zucchini are prolific growers, so sharing the harvest is part of the fun.

So, What to Do With Summer Squash and Zucchini?

What to do with summer squash and zucchini comes down to cooking, baking, grilling, freezing, pickling, dehydrating, or sharing them.
 
Summer squash and zucchini are incredibly versatile, so there’s no reason for any of your harvest to go to waste.
 
Whether you’re sautéing them for dinner tonight or freezing shreds for zucchini bread this winter, you now have plenty of ideas for what to do with summer squash and zucchini.
 
Happy cooking.