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Tag: Zucchini

Summer Squash Risotto

I suppose I have a risotto for all seasons. This one is just right for a cool, rainy spring evening in Austin; comforting but bright and summery. The base is sweet onions just harvested from my garden. Pulling 50 beautiful little onions out of the dirt is a great way to celebrate the end of another semester. Cooking up recipes full of them is a great way to celebrate being on vacation.


2 Tbs Butter
1 cup Sweet Onion [Texas 1015 or the like, chopped]
4 Garlic Cloves [minced]
2 medium Summer Squash [mixed colors, grated]
1/2 cup White Wine
4 cups Vegetable Broth
1 cup Arborio Rice
Lemon Zest from 1 lemon
1/4 cup chopped Flat Leaf Parsley + Basil
Salt to Taste

Heat vegetable broth and keep at a low simmer.

Melt butter in a large shallow sauce pan over medium low heat. Saute sweet onion till translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic + summer squash. Season with salt, depending on how salty your veggie broth is. Cook for a few minutes more, until the squash just begins to soften. Add rice + toast for a minute. Add wine + stir. After all liquid is absorbed, add about a half cup of vegetable broth. Stir frequently until liquid is absorbed. Repeat until all broth has been added and rice is tender and mixture is creamy. Stir in basil + parsley. Serve in shallow bowls garnished with plenty of lemon zest.

Serves 4 as a substantial side.

Southwest Pinto Stew

1 cup Onion [chopped]
3 Garlic Cloves [minced]
1 Carrot [sliced]
1 Bell Pepper [chopped]
1 Zucchini [chopped]
2 cups Pinto Beans
1-14 oz can Tomatoes
2 Tbs Olive Oil
Sea Salt [or Redmond salt]
2 cups Vegetable Broth
dash Chipotle Chili Powder
1/4 tsp Marjoram
1/4 tsp Cumin
1/2 tsp Chili Powder [a good blend with oregano]

Heat oil in a large stock pot. Saute onion, seasoned with salt, for 5 minutes over medium heat. Add carrots, peppers, and garlic + saute for 5 minutes more. Add zucchini + cook for 5-10 minutes, until all vegetables have softened. Add spices, stirring till fragrant. Add tomatoes, vegetable broth + beans. Simmer for 15 minutes.

Serves 4. Great with homemade tortillas + avocado slices.

Summer Squash Soup

6 medium Zucchini or Yellow Summer Squash [chopped]
1-1/2 cups Sweet Onion [chopped]
4 Garlic Cloves [fresh if available, minced]
2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tsp + Salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
2 cups Vegetable Broth
1 tsp Fresh Oregano [chopped]
1 tsp Fresh Thyme
1/2 tsp Fresh Tarragon [chopped]
1/4 cup Fresh Basil [chopped]

Heat oil in a soup pot with a lid to medium heat. Saute onions and garlic, seasoned with a little salt + pepper for about 5 minutes. Add squash + 1 tsp salt. Increase heat slightly + saute for 5 minutes more. Add vegetable broth, cover + simmer for 10 minutes. Add herbs + simmer a few minutes more, until squash are tender. Allow to cool slightly then puree. Gently reheat if necessary or serve at room temperature.

Serves 4 to 6.

Morel Zucchini Linguine

3 Garlic Cloves [minced]
1 medium Shallot [minced
4 oz Morel Mushrooms [bite sized, washed]
2 medium Zucchini [1/2″ thick slices]
2 Tbs Butter
1 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 servings Linguine [dried, cooked until al dente in salted water]
1/2 tsp Fresh Thyme Leaves

Salt + Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Melt 1-1/2 Tbs butter in a large saute pan over medium heat.  Saute shallots + garlic for several minutes till wilted + fragrant.  Add mushrooms + zucchini.  Saute until zucchini are tender, just over 10 minutes.  Stir in pasta, thyme + remaining 1/2 Tbs butter.  Season to taste with plenty of black pepper.

Serves 2.

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