Pesto Squash Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.
• Place squash skin side down on prepared baking sheet. Bake until cooked through, about 1 hour. Remove from oven; cool for 10 minutes. Once squash is cool enough to handle, scrape flesh into string-like strands with a fork. Place in a bowl and set aside.
• Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until onion begins to turn translucent. Stir in kale and mushrooms; reduce heat to medium low.
• Stir in squash, remaining 2 tablespoons butter, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes; cook for 2 minutes. Remove from stove and place squash mixture in a large bowl.
• Stir olive oil and pesto into the squash mixture. Slowly add grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until evenly mixed.

Steps:

• Boil spaghetti squash about 40 minutes, until tender when pierced with knife. Drain, allow to cool somewhat, then split in half lengthwise.
• Using large spoon, scrape out seeds and strings to which they are attached and discard. Using forks, scrape flesh of squash away from skin and transfer to large saucepan. Flesh will lift up in clumps of strands that separate easily. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
• Gently fold in pesto and tomatoes. Recheck seasonings and set aside, covered. About 10 minutes before serving, reheat gently in saucepan and sprinkle with parsley or basil.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the orzo and salt generously. Meanwhile, heat a large, heavy skillet over medium heat and add olive oil and garlic. Cook, stirring, until garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds, and add summer squash. Turn heat up to medium high and cook, stirring often, until squash is tender and translucent, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in marjoram or mint and season to taste with salt and pepper. Turn off heat.
• When water in pot comes to a boil, salt generously and add orzo. Cook 9 minutes, until al dente. Stir 3 to 4 tablespoons of the cooking water into the pesto, then drain orzo and toss with squash. Heat through, add pesto, toss again and serve, passing more Parmesan or pecorino in a bowl.

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add squash, zucchini, and onions; saute until slightly tender, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Combine pine nuts, salt, and pepper in a food processor; pulse until coarsely chopped. Add basil, Parmesan cheese, and garlic. Continue to process until finely ground. Slowly add in olive oil until pesto reaches the desired consistency.
• Serve pesto over the warm vegetables. Top with tomatoes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Steps:

• In a food processor purée together basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, salt, lemon juice, and oil until smooth and season with pepper.
• With a mandoline or other manual slicer, cut zucchini and yellow squash lengthwise into very thin slices. Arrange slices in one layer, overlapping them slightly, on 2 large platters and drizzle pesto over slices. Chill zucchini and yellow squash, covered, at least 1 hour, to allow dressing to be absorbed, and up to 1 day.

Steps:

• Place zucchini in a steamer over 1 inch of boiling water, and cover. Cook until tender but still firm, about 2 to 6 minutes.
• In a serving bowl, mix together zucchini and pesto. Top with Parmesan cheese.