Zucchini and Tomato Side Dish

Sauteed Zucchini and Tomato

Cook's notes: Be creative putting this side dish together. It all depends on what is available in produce, farmer's market or in your spring garden. 

Crisp zucchini with a burst of cherry tomatoes and sauteed with sweet red onion pair with a seafood meal. Other options include adding Pattypan Baby Squash and green peppers. Be sure to cut the zucchini and squash into even chunks. Besides cooking the dish in a large skillet, the veggie mixture can be roasted in the oven at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes, drizzled with olive oil. If roasting the vegetables, add the halved tomatoes in the last 10 minutes of cooking time. 

Recipe was inspired by yummy.com and serves 3-4

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small red onion, diced
• 1 diced green pepper
• 2 medium zucchini cut into large chunks and/or Baby Patty pan Squash, Yellow Squash 
• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved 
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. parsley flakes
• 1 tsp. thyme
• 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 TB. fresh chopped basil, plus more for garnish if desired
• option 1/2 of a fennel bulb cut into 3/8 inch strips and then cut in half 

Directions: 

• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large sauté pan. Add the red onions and cook, stirring frequently, until very soft and pale purple in color, 7-8 minutes. Do not brown.
• Add the zucchini, tomatoes, garlic, spices, salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, for 3-5 minutes, or until the zucchini are cooked but still crisp and the tomatoes have started to burst, creating a little sauce. 
• Stir in the fresh basil and parsley flakes, taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. 
• Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with more fresh basil if desired.

Baby Pattypan Squash is a type of squash notable for its small size, round and shallow shape, and scalloped edges, somewhat resembling a small toy top or flying saucer. The name "pattypan" derives from "a pan for baking a patty." Its French name, pâtisson, derives from a Provençal word for a cake made in a scalloped mould. The pattypan squash is also known as scallop squash, sunburst squash, granny squash, custard marrow, custard squash, cibleme in Cajan French, white squash, scallopini or simply "squash" in Australian English. Patty Pan Squash comes in yellow, green, and white varieties.

Acorn Squash

Acorn Squash, also called pepper squash or Des Moines squash, is a winter squash with distinctive longitudinal ridges and sweet, yellow-orange flesh. 

In the spring, at the end of the day, 

you should smell like dirt. 

~Margaret Atwood