Ingredient Title Chef Category

Squash the impulse

Don't leave all of the summer squash on your neighbors front step. It is true, turn your back on a tiny zucchini and overnight it turns into a giant summer squash. Thank heaven this most productive of vines produces a vegetable that can pass unnoticed into any number of delightful recipes, keeping them moist and delicious. It is even good in all kinds of dishes where you can see and taste its presence. Proof follows:

BATTER FRIED ZUCCHINI SPEARS

Serve as a hors d'ouvres or as a side dish. Fennel mayonnaise makes a good dip for them.

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup beer
l/4 teaspoon salt
2 medium zucchini
12 fresh basil leaves
3 cups vegetable oil for deep-fat frying

Whisk together flour, beer and salt; season with pepper. Halve zucchini crosswise. Cut each half into 6 spears and put, skin side down, on a cutting board. With a sharp knife cut a lengthwise slit about l/2-inch deep along top side of each spear. Halve basil leaves lengthwise and push a half leaf into slit of each spear. Heat 1-inch oil in heavy saucepan or deep skillet to 375 F. Working batches of 6, coat spears in batter, letting excess drip off; fry until deep golden, about 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Makes 24.

FENNEL OR DILL MAYONNAISE

Good with fish and with Zucchini Spears.

1 tablespoon fennel seeds or 1/4 cup minced fresh dill
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 l/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 l/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

In a small skillet over medium heat stir fennel seeds until fragrant. Mix fennel seeds or fresh dill and garlic with salt and stir into mayonnaise, adding lemon juice and pepper. You can thin this by adding l/4 cup sour cream. Makes about l/2 cup.

ZUCCHINI CURRANT MUFFINS

Raisins, dried cranberries, or dates can be substituted for the currants and chopped nuts can be added

2 cups all-purpose flour
l/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/4 cups (packed) grated zucchini, squeezed dry
2/3 cup dried fruit and/or nuts l/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
l/4 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 400 F. Grease 12 muffin cups or line with paper cups. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in large bowl; stir to blend thoroughly. Stir in zucchini, dried fruit and nuts. Beat together the eggs, milk and oil. Mix ONLY until blended, DO NOT BEAT. Spoon lumpy batter into muffin cups. Bake 20 minutes or until golden. Makes 12 muffins.

COLORFUL SAUTEED SHREDDED SQUASH AND CARROTS

Use yellow squash for the extra color if you have it, if not use only zucchini and carrot.You can make this side dish in about 10 minutes.

1 1/4 pounds green zucchini
1/2 pound yellow summer squash
l medium carrot
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 tablespoon butter
Salt and pepper

Using coarse side of a hand-held grater, shred the vegetables into the longest shreds possible. Heat oil and butter in a heavy pan over high heat until foaming stops. Sauté the shallots; stirring frequently for about l minute. Add vegetables, salt and pepper. Sauté, tossing often, until the vegetables are just limp, about l minute. Season to taste. Makes 4 servings.

ZUCCHINI AND PEPPER PASTA SALAD

Great for a picnic or for lunch.

1/2 pound fusilli pasta
1/3 cup olive oil
l/2 cup thinly sliced scallions
2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
l pound mixed summer squash, sliced about the same size as the peppers
2 tablespoons capers
l/2 cup packed basil leaves
l/2 cup (packed) chopped basil leaves
l/2 cup grated Asiago cheese
l l/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Pinch sugar
1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper, to taste

Cook pasta, drain and rinse. Toss with 3 tablespoons of the oil; let cool. Heat remaining oil and sauté onions and garlic for 30 seconds. Add peppers and squash; sauté until crisp tender. Toss vegetables with pasta, adding capers, basil and cheese. Whisk mustard with vinegar, sugar and pepper flakes. Toss with pasta, season and taste. You may want to add a little more olive oil or vinegar. Makes 4 to 5 servings.

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