TARBORO — It’s summer and that means squash. Squash in the garden. Squash in the garage. Squash everywhere. I love squash but I do have to constantly search for new recipes. I think you will enjoy these! Feel free to send me yours.

Our first recipe is fried squash patties. These are great! You can freeze them but if you do, you need to warm them in the oven not the microwave. I enjoy these very much! Sometimes I make them real crispy, other times I make them like potato pancakes and have apple sauce with them.

The second recipe is cream of squash soup. This has a unique taste that I think you will enjoy. It’s easy to make. Find an unusual bowl or fruit or veggies to serve it in for a great meal starter.

The third recipe is a staple at my house. It’ zucchini bread. I make many loaves and keep them in the freezer. Then when I need to take something to a friend, I pull it out, thaw it and am ready to go.

The fourth dish is squash pickles. If you want to make these just for a family picnic, etc, you don’t have to water bath them. Keep them in the fridge for about a week and then toss the leftovers.

The fifth recipe is Bacon Squash Casserole. My husband thinks that anything that contains bacon is a good thing! I tend to agree. The bacon adds a different layer of flavor. You can also use pancetta.

The last recipe is a little different. It’s Squash Puffs. Kind of like hushpuppies but made from squash. The family will love these!

Squash Patties



2 cups grated yellow squash

1/4 cup self - rising flour

1/3 cup self - rising cornmeal

1 small onion, chopped

1 egg, beaten

pepper to taste



Mix all ingredients together. Spoon out into hot greased frying pan (I use olive oil). Brown both sides. Drain on paper towel.



Cream of Squash Soup



1 1/2 pounds yellow summer squash

2 tablespoons butter

1 medium onion, sliced

1/4 lemon, sliced, seeds removed

1/4 cup flour

6 cups chicken broth

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

3 to 4 grinds of fresh nutmeg or dash of ground nutmeg

1 cup heavy cream



Wash and trim squash. Slice, reserving 8 very thin slices for garnish. In a large saucepan, melt butter; gently sauté onion and lemon. Sprinkle with flour and cook slowly, stirring, until flour is absorbed. Add chicken broth gradually, then sliced squash, salt and pepper. Simmer for 1 hour. Puree soup in blender or food processor. Add nutmeg.

To heat, stir in cream with a wire whisk and cook over low heat. Do not allow to boil. Garnish cream of squash soup with reserved squash slices.

Squash soup serves 8.



Zucchini Bread



2 cups flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup chopped walnuts



Put zucchini in strainer and press or squeeze with hands to get some of the excess liquid out. In a mixing bowl beat eggs, sugar, and oil together. Stir in the flour, baking powder, soda, cinnamon, salt, vanilla, and walnuts, mixing just until all ingredients are combined. Add drained zucchini. Mix well.

Pour into 2 greased and floured 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pans.

Bake for 55 to 60 minutes at 350, or until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted in center comes out with very little or no crumbs clinging to it.



Squash Pickles



8 cups sliced summer squash

2 cups sliced onion

1 tablespoon non-iodized salt

1 cup diced green bell pepper

2 cups cider vinegar

3 1/2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon celery seeds

1 teaspoon mustard seeds



Combine squash and onion. Sprinkle with salt and let stand 1 hour. Combine green pepper, vinegar, sugar, seeds. Mix. Bring to boil.

 Pack sterilized canning jars; seal and adjust rings. Starting timer when water returns to a boil with jars in it, process for 5 minutes in a boiling-water canner, or 10 minutes for altitudes of 1001 to 6,000 feet. Over 6,000 feet, process for 15 minutes.



Bacon Squash Casserole



4 strips bacon

5 medium yellow summer squash, or 32 ounces frozen sliced summer squash

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 tablespoon butter

2 eggs, beaten

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 to 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese



Slice squash about 1/4-inch thick; cook in boiling salted water until tender. Fry bacon until crisp; drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon and set aside. In bacon drippings, brown onions. Add butter, squash, eggs, salt and pepper.

Cook, stirring, until eggs are cooked. In a 2-quart casserole dish, place half of the squash mixture. Sprinkle with half of the crumbled bacon and half of the shredded cheese. Top with remaining squash mixture, bacon, and cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees until hot and cheese is melted. Serves 4 to 6.



Squash Puffs



3/4 pound yellow squash, about 2 medium, cubed

1 egg, beaten

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup cornmeal

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 medium onion, grated

vegetable oil



Add squash to saucepan and cover with salted water. Cook, covered, 10 to 15 minutes or until tender. Drain and mash enough squash to make 1 cup. Combine squash and egg and blend well. Combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt, stir well. Add squash mixture and onions, stir until blended.

Drop squash mixture by level tablespoon into hot oil. Cook until golden brown, turning once.

Makes about 2 dozen.





Did You Know?



George Foreman Grills: After removing the cooked food from the grill, place a paper towel soaked in water on each of the 2 cooking surfaces. Unplug the appliance, allow it to sit for 5-30 minutes (while you eat), then use the paper towels to effortlessly wipe out the grease and food particles.

Ink Stains: The best way I have found to get out ink stains is to put rubbing alcohol on the stain - it disappears! This must be done before washing. For ink on the wall, wipe with bleach and it will disappear.

Kitty Litter: To keep cat litter fresh smelling, mix baby powder in with the litter.

Microwave Filth: Food splatters all over the inside of your microwave and cooks itself on after time. To easily remove this mess, place a sponge soaked in water in the microwave. Cook on high heat for 2 minutes, then allow it to sit without opening the microwave door, for 5 minutes. The filth is now ready to be wiped right off - no scrubbing - and your sponge is right there!

Microwave Odors: Keep a cup of baking soda in the microwave between uses to keep potatoes from smelling like bacon or other unusual combinations!

Mothball Substitute: Take your leftover soap slivers and put them in a vented plastic bag. You place the bag with seasonal clothes before packing them away. Not only will the scent prevent them from moth harm but also they'll smell great when you pull them out.

Odor-free Car: Place a few briquettes of charcoal under the seat of your car to absorb odors and keep it smelling fresh. Make sure to use the type without the starting fluid on them or your car will smell of fuel.

Paint on Carpet: Spray with Windex® and wipe clean.

Permanent Marker on Carpet: Dab a washcloth soaked in rubbing alcohol onto the marker stain. Do not rub it - just blot it - rotating the cloth to a clean spot every time.

Pet Urine on Carpet: First, blot up what you can with paper towels. Then, with warm, soapy water and a clean cloth, blot the area clean; rinse with clean water; blot until dry. Next, combine 1/3 cup white vinegar with 2/3 cup water and dab it on stain; rinse with clean water; blot until dry. Once the area is totally dry (at least 24 hours), sprinkle entire carpet with baking soda or rug deodorizer; vacuum after a few hours.

Photos Stuck Together: With a hair dryer on low, slowly melt them apart.

Roach Problem: Combine equal parts boric acid (a powder sold in hardware stores and drugstores) and sugar, mix well. Sprinkle in crevices and, if building or remodeling, between walls before putting up plaster board. Put the powder in jar lids; place lids behind the fridge and under sinks. Caution: Keep mixture away from children and pets. If ingested in large quantities, or even in small amounts over several days, boric acid can be harmful.

(http://kitchen.robbiehaf.com/CleaningTips.html)