Dinner Ideas Using Yellow Squash

Yellow squash, like its cousin zucchini, is a type of summer squash -- although it’s in season through the mid-autumn. The tastiest yellow squash will be heavy, smooth and 8 inches or shorter. The skin is thin, so this vegetable can go bad in a matter of days. Store yellow squash in plastic bags in your refrigerator and use them within five days of bringing them home.

Pasta

The flavor of yellow squash is delicate, so it pairs well with fresh pasta. Topping the dish with heavy sauce will overpower the flavors of the vegetable. Opt for light flavors like garlic and lemon instead. Cooking the squash in olive oil that has been flavored with these ingredients takes just a few minutes, and grating some fresh Parmesan cheese on top of the dish is a quick finish. Adding sweet vegetables and herbs like peas and basil will also complement the squash and pasta.

Baking

Yellow squash are sturdy enough to hold up to baking, and their sweet and mild flavor means they can be stuffed with a variety of ingredients. Squash aren’t hollow, so after you cut one in half you’ll need to scoop out most of the flesh. Dice the flesh and mix it with cooked ground beef, red pepper, corn and taco seasoning for a spicy dinner. Couscous or bulgur that has been mixed with diced vegetables can also be stuffed inside the squash halves and baked until the squash is soft, or for about 35 to 40 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. To make mashed squash, bake the halves until they're soft, scoop out the flesh and mash it with a bit of butter, salt and pepper.

Salad

While yellow squash doesn’t lend itself to topping salad greens, it can be a part of a hearty salad made with beans. Combine sautéed squash chunks with lima beans and chickpeas and top it with lemon vinaigrette. If you want to add some protein, think seafood. Grilled shrimp or thin pieces of smoked salmon will be light enough that they won’t overpower a squash salad. This type of salad is filling, so it can be used as a main dish on a hot day or served as a side dish accompanying sandwiches or soup.

Sandwiches and Wraps

Squash is too hard to eat raw, but grilling slices for a few minutes on both sides makes the vegetable soft and smoky. The grilled squash can be combined with a variety of sandwich ingredients. Pair it with other grilled vegetables and provolone cheese, or add the squash to a sandwich of chicken, greens and pesto. Squash can also lend itself to Mexican flavors. Combine it with beans and roasted peppers, or any of your favorite burrito ingredients, in a flour tortilla.