Spicy Summer Squash Recipes

YELLOW SUMMER SQUASH RELISH

Steps:

• In a large container, combine squash, onions, green pepper and salt. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Drain; rinse and drain again., In a Dutch oven, combine sugar, vinegar and seasonings; bring to a boil. Add squash mixture; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 15 minutes. Remove from heat., Carefully ladle hot mixture into 6 hot 1-pint jars, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight. , Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 15 minutes. Remove jars and cool. Refrigerate remaining relish for up to 1 week.

SPICY SUMMER SQUASH SOUP

Steps:

• Bring water, bouillion cube, and desired amount of crab boil to a boil in a saucepan. You can always start on the lower end of crab boil & adjust up. Remember that some of the heat will "cook off" when you add broth to squash later. Boil for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, coursely chop squash and onion. I don't peel my squash, but you can peel them if desired before chopping.
• Put squash and onion into a dutch oven and pour broth mixture in over vegetables. Cover vegetables about 2/3 of the way, don't completely cover (you may have some broth left over). Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes. When squash is tender, remove from heat & let cool.
• When cool enough to handle, transfer squash mixture to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
• Return squash mixture to dutch oven and slowly stir in cream. You might not want the whole cup. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add dash of cayenne pepper, if desired.
• If planning to serve cold, let stand in refrigerator several hours or overnight to allow flavors to blend. Stir well before serving.
• If freezing, let cool completely, then place desired number of servings in freezer containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. To prepare from frozen, simply thaw in microwave or stovetop & serve!

SPICY STIR-FRIED SHRIMP WITH YELLOW SUMMER SQUASH

Steps:

• Soak the shrimp for five minutes in cold water to which you have added two tablespoons coarse salt. Rinse and repeat this procedure twice. Rinse, drain and pat dry.
• In bowl large enough to hold the shrimp, combine the egg whites with the cornstarch sherry mixture. Beat together and add the shrimp. Coat with the mixture and marinate in the refrigerator at least an hour.
• In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the sauce: Sherry, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce and hot chili pepper sauce. Mix and set aside.
• When ready to cook, place the wok over high heat. Add two tablespoons peanut oil. Remove the shrimp from the marinade with a slotted spoon. Saute for one minute. Remove and set aside.
• Add the remaining oil to the wok and stir-fry the scallions, ginger root and garlic for one minute. Add the squash, stir-fry for a few seconds, then add the sauce and the shrimp. Stir-fry for a few more seconds, remove from heat, sprinkle with chives and pine nuts and serve.

SPICY-SWEET SUMMER SQUASH CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Prepare the squash by splitting each one lengthwise and scraping out most of the seeds, then slice to about 1/2 inch thickness.
• Place frozen pepper/onion blend and prepared squash into boiling water. Boil until just tender, about 10 minutes.
• Drain vegetables well, then mash.
• Stir in the beaten egg, creamed corn, salt, pepper, 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese, and half of the crushed croutons. Fold ingredients together.
• Spray 9X13 glass baking dish with vegetable cooking spray, pour in the vegetable mixture.
• Top the casserole with remaining croutons and shredded cheese.
• Bake until golden and bubbly, about 25 to 35 minutes.