Are you looking for a low fat, low calorie side to add to your meal? Try summer squash! Summer squash includes several varieties: yellow crookneck or straightneck, patty pan, and zucchini. These seasonal vegetables provide a source of vitamins A and C as well as the mineral potassium. Potassium can help promote healthy blood pressure levels.
According to USDA, it is recommended that we consume two to three cups of vegetables each day depending on gender, age, and physical activity. A cup of cooked squash can put you on the right track towards meeting those recommendations.
Summer squash is a popular warm season plant that can grow efficiently in any area of Texas. They take up a lot of space, because they are prolific producers. This means that they are bigger plants, which gives you more to consume. Since summer squash are bigger plants, you can make them your “main dish” in a meal. An example of a main dish is zucchini or squash boats. These are made by cutting the vegetable in half and hollowing it out, then filling it with something such as chicken. Summer squash can also be used as a great side in any meal by slicing them into thin, circular pieces and baking or grilling them.
If you are looking to add a new vegetable to your diet that improves your health, try summer squash!
Visit https://dinnertonight.tamu.edu/ for recipes including summer squash!
Extension Specialist
Contact: Dr. Larry Stein
Phone: 830.278.9151
Email: Larry.Stein@ag.tamu.edu
