9 Types of Summer Squash (and How to Cook Each One)
Updated: Mar. 03, 2023
Think outside the zucchini! There are many different types of summer squash, each with a unique texture and flavor.
Selecting Summer Squash
Most summer squashes have tender, glossy skins, although a few varieties do have a firmer texture. If you’re harvesting your own, pierce the skin with your thumbnail to see if the squash is ready. (Skip this step at the market, though. It’s just one of those things every farmer wishes you knew!)
What Size Should You Choose?
Summer squashes come in all shapes and sizes. Baby squash is super tender, with tiny seeds and nutrient-dense flesh. Because of their small size, pattypan squash is perfect for cooking whole. Larger squash, like zucchini, tends to lose its flavor and become watery—making them better suited for baked goods or soups. No matter which type or size you choose, there are hundreds of ways to cook summer squash.
Storing Summer Squash
When you get back from the market, pop the squash in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator and plan to use it within a week. They’ll last longer if you place them in a plastic bag with a corner open to promote air circulation and humidity. You can also freeze grated squash in freezer-safe bags for about 12 months. Here’s how long other fresh produce lasts.
Cousa
It’s easy to confuse cousa with spaghetti squash—they look nearly identical! However, cousa’s flesh and seeds are edible. This Middle Eastern variety has very thin skin and it’s a touch sweeter than a zucchini. Because of their oval shape, these summer squashes are perfect for making garden-stuffed squash boats.
Crookneck
Crookneck squash are usually bright yellow and have the best texture when they’re shorter than 6 inches long. Their bulbous bottoms and long, slender necks make them difficult to cut into perfect rounds, so we like dicing them instead. Flavorwise, they’re pretty similar to zucchini and they mix well with green squashes, like in this summer squash gratin.
Pattypan
This UFO-shaped vegetable might be the cutest variety of summer squash! They come in all colors and sizes, although we like the baby sizes for grilling whole, like in this grilled pattypan recipe. Pattypan squash larger than a few inches wide have tougher skin, but it’s still edible. They’re best quartered, chopped or sliced for grilling, roasting or sauteeing.
Round Zucchini
These grapefruit-shaped summer squash taste exactly like regular zucchini, but their shape makes them more fun. Use them instead of peppers to create cheesy stuffed squash. You can also remove the top, spoon out the insides and use them as a serving bowl for soup. Look for softball-size squash for the most tender eating experience.
Tatuma
This Mexican heirloom squash (also called calabacita) is firmer than other types of summer squash, but it’s sweeter and more flavorful. They’re usually shaped like paler green zucchini, although sometimes they’re spherical. Use them in any of your favorite zucchini recipes to give the dish a flavor boost.
Tromboncino
This Italian heirloom variety got its name because of its unique shape. They can grow to a massive size, but we like them best when they’re about a foot in length. You’ll notice they have fewer seeds inside and a firmer texture. They taste fantastic when chopped up and sauteed for a quick summer squash side dish.
Zephyr
These two-tone squash are yellow on top and pale green on the bottom. Their straight-neck shape makes them perfect for slicing into rounds or turning into zucchini noodles. While their skin is slightly tougher than a zucchini, they’re soft and tender inside with a pleasant, nutty flavor.
Zucchini
Zucchini is the poster child when it comes to summer squash. Small, 4- to 6-inch zucchini taste fantastic raw when shaved into ribbons for zucchini carpaccio. You can halve larger squash for the grill, saute chopped-up zucchini or grate them for making quick breads. They even make great pickles!
Chayote
Summer squashes are technically fruits, so it’s no surprise that chayote has a slightly sweet, apple-like taste. But just like the rest of the squashes on this list, chayote is still prepared like a vegetable. Toss it into a salad, marinate it or pickle it.
Originally Published: June 07, 2021
