Lemon-Garlic Summer Squash Medley
Bright and flavorful, this Lemon-Garlic Summer Squash Medley is a delightful side dish that complements a variety of lemon-infused meats, poultry, and fish. Made with fresh green and yellow summer squash and aromatic garlic, this dish is not only delicious but also packed with health benefits, especially from the antioxidant properties of cooked garlic. The zesty addition of lemon zest enhances the overall flavor, making it an ideal accompaniment for summer barbecues or weeknight dinners. Feel free to customize this recipe by adding mushrooms for an earthy twist or substituting paprika and raisins for a sweet and savory combination. This dish is light, healthy, and sure to impress your guests or family!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Green summer squash
1 (quartered lengthwise and sliced)
Yellow summer squash
1 (quartered lengthwise and sliced)
Yellow onion
1 (roughly chopped)
Garlic cloves
4 (roughly chopped)
Chicken broth or water
1/2 cup (liquid)
Oil (vegetable or olive or corn)
1-2 tablespoons (for cooking)
Lemon
1 (zest of (slices reserved for garnish))
Crushed red pepper flakes
to taste (for seasoning)
Sea salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium-low heat.
2
Add the chopped onion and sauté gently for about 3-4 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent.
3
Once the onion is softened, add the chopped garlic. Stir gently, allowing the garlic to cook for 1-2 minutes—be careful not to let it burn!
4
To speed up the cooking process, increase the heat to medium and pour in the chicken broth or water. Cover the pan to help steam the ingredients, which will also prevent burning. Season with sea salt at this point to enhance the flavors.
5
Add the quartered summer squash to the pan along with the lemon zest and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to taste. Stir to combine.
6
Cover the pan, allowing the dish to cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
7
The summer squash is done when it becomes tender and slightly translucent. At this stage, you can choose to drain any excess liquid or leave it in for additional flavor.
8
Serve the vegetable medley hot, garnished with lemon slices that can be squeezed over the dish just before serving for an extra citrus punch.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Lemon-Garlic Summer Squash Medley?
It is a bright and flavorful side dish made with fresh green and yellow summer squash, aromatic garlic, and zesty lemon.
What types of squash are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for one green summer squash and one yellow summer squash.
How should I prepare the summer squash?
The squash should be quartered lengthwise and then sliced.
How much garlic is used in the medley?
The recipe requires four cloves of garlic, roughly chopped.
What kind of oil can I use for cooking?
You can use vegetable, olive, or corn oil.
How long should I saute the onions?
Gently saute the chopped yellow onion for about 3-4 minutes until it becomes translucent.
How do I prevent the garlic from burning?
Stir the garlic gently for only 1-2 minutes and add chicken broth or water to help steam the ingredients.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this Lemon-Garlic Summer Squash Medley is naturally gluten-free.
Can this recipe be made vegan?
Yes, by using water or vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, the dish is vegan.
What is the purpose of adding chicken broth or water?
The liquid helps speed up the cooking process and steams the ingredients to prevent them from burning.
When should I add the sea salt?
Add the sea salt when you pour in the chicken broth or water to enhance the overall flavors.
How much lemon is needed?
You need the zest of one lemon for cooking, with the remaining slices reserved for garnish.
How do I add spice to this dish?
You can add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to taste.
What is the final cooking time once the squash is added?
Cover the pan and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes after adding the squash.
How can I tell when the summer squash is finished cooking?
The squash is done when it becomes tender and slightly translucent.
Should I drain the liquid before serving?
You can choose to drain any excess liquid or leave it in for additional flavor depending on your preference.
What are some suggested variations for this recipe?
You can add mushrooms for an earthy twist or use paprika and raisins for a sweet and savory combination.
How should the dish be garnished?
Garnish the medley with lemon slices that can be squeezed over the vegetables before serving.
Are there health benefits to the garlic in this recipe?
Yes, cooked garlic is known for its antioxidant properties.
What kind of heat should I use for the saucepan?
Start with medium-low heat for the oil and onions, then increase to medium after adding the broth.
Can I use zucchini in this recipe?
Yes, zucchini is a type of green summer squash and works perfectly in this medley.
Is this dish suitable for a barbecue?
Yes, it is described as an ideal accompaniment for summer barbecues.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 9 ingredients: green squash, yellow squash, onion, garlic, broth, oil, lemon, red pepper flakes, and sea salt.
What type of onion is recommended?
The recipe specifically calls for one roughly chopped yellow onion.
Is this a good recipe for weeknight dinners?
Yes, it is a quick and easy side dish that fits well into a weeknight schedule.
How much liquid is added to the pan?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of chicken broth or water.
Can I use olive oil?
Yes, olive oil is one of the recommended options for this dish.
Why is the pan covered during cooking?
Covering the pan helps steam the squash and keeps the moisture in the dish.
Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
While best served hot, the vegetables can be prepped (chopped and sliced) in advance to save time.
Does this recipe contain any sugar?
No, this recipe does not contain any added sugars.