Using The Garden's Bounty - Squash

It's that time! Zucchini and yellow squash are coming in by the bucket loads! Sometimes you just don't know what to do with all the bounty the garden gives, besides giving away so much people avoid you.

It wasn't long ago that I didn't know much beyond smothering it with onions on top of the stove. Still yummy, but not very creative. So before you resort to the proverbial stealth give aways at the neighbors doors and unlocked cars, try cooking them in a new way. Here are three recipes I love.
Zucchini Muffins

3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup veggie oil
3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cloves
2 cups shredded unpeeled zucchini
1 cup chopped nuts
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large bowl cream eggs, sugar, and veggie oil until light and fluffy. Mix in flour, salt, cinnamon, baking powder, and baking soda. Add cloves, zucchini, nuts, and vanilla extract. Stir until well blended.

Fill muffin tins lined with muffin papers 1/2 full and bake until fork comes out clean. About 30 to 40 minutes.

Yellow Squash Casserole

1 lb peeled shrimp cut in halves

1/2 pack of Jimmy Dean Breakfast sausage

1 med. onion cut in thin strips

5 lg yellow squash cut in chunks

2 cups Italian bread crumbs

salt and pepper

2 tblsp olive oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In large pan, fry sausage and onions in olive oil until sausage is done. Add shrimp and cook until orange. Add squash and cook a while longer. Until squash starts to soften. Turn off fire and add bread crumbs and salt and pepper to taste. Stir well. Transfer to an oven safe casserole dish and bake in oven another 30 to 45 minutes. I find this dish is even better then next day and makes a great lunch the next day. So make extra.

This next recipe is a dish my neighbor gave to me. I'm not sure if it has an official name, but I'll call it....

Summer Garden Squash and Veggie Bake (I know a little long!)

3 yellow squash cut in chunks

3 zucchini cut in chunks

1 red onion cut in lg pieces

1 Orange bell pepper cut in chunks

1 large tomato cut in chunks

salt

pepper

olive oil

seasoning blend (We like Tony Chacerie's Cajun Blend)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine yellow squash, zucchini, orange bell pepper, onion and tomato chunks. Spread evenly on cookie sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with seasonings. Cook until warm yet still crunchy. Tastes great with grilled burgers.

If you have any yummy squash recipes please post them in the comment section!