Sautéed Summer Squash: A Taste of Sunshine I can almost smell it now – the faint, sweet aroma of summer squash sizzling in a pan with butter and olive oil. My grandmother, a true matriarch with a garden that seemed to stretch on forever, always had a huge bowl of sautéed summer squash on the … Read more
Instant Pot Curry Ginger Squash Soup: A Symphony of Autumn Flavors I still remember the first time I tasted a truly exceptional squash soup. It was at a small, family-run bistro nestled in the heart of Montreal, during a crisp autumn getaway. The air was scented with woodsmoke and the promise of snow, and the … Read more
Yellow Squash Puppies: A Taste of Southern Comfort There’s something magical about the smell of cornmeal frying in hot oil. It instantly transports me back to my grandmother’s kitchen in rural Georgia. I remember sitting on the counter, swinging my legs, as she expertly dropped spoonfuls of batter into her well-seasoned cast iron skillet. While … Read more
Calabaza Vegetarian Soup: A Taste of the Caribbean Sun The first time I tasted Calabaza soup was at a tiny roadside stand in Jamaica. The vibrant orange hue alone was captivating, but the aroma of warm spices and sweet squash was intoxicating. I remember the steam rising from the bowl, the gentle sway of palm … Read more
Mom’s Yellow Squash Casserole: A Thanksgiving Tradition The memory of Mom’s Yellow Squash Casserole is practically woven into the fabric of my childhood Thanksgivings. It wasn’t just the vibrant yellow color that stood out amongst the browns and greens of the holiday spread, but the aroma – a comforting blend of savory squash, herbaceous stuffing, … Read more
Healthy and Moist Jiffy Cornbread I remember my grandmother’s cornbread. It was always a little dry, a little crumbly, and, honestly, a little boring. As a kid, I tolerated it only because it was served alongside her amazing chili. But, as a chef, I’ve always felt challenged to improve upon it. I wanted to create … Read more
Patty Pan Squash Fritters: A Summer Delight The memory is etched in my mind: a sun-drenched afternoon, the scent of late-summer vegetables wafting from the kitchen, and my grandmother, apron-clad and humming, standing over a sizzling pan. She always seemed to have an abundance of patty pan squash from her garden, and these fritters were … Read more
Posh Yellow Squash Casserole: Southern Comfort Elevated The aroma of summer squash baking, mingling with the savory scent of Parmesan, always transports me back to potlucks at my grandmother’s house. She was a master of Southern comfort food, but never one to shy away from a little “doctoring up,” as she called it. This casserole, … Read more
Hubbard Squash and Apple Soup: A Bowlful of Autumn Warmth The first time I tasted a soup like this, it was late October. I was visiting my grandmother, and the air was crisp with the scent of burning leaves and woodsmoke. She ladled a steaming bowl of vibrant orange liquid into my hands, and the … Read more
Stuffed Yellow Squash: A Taste of Summer’s Bounty My grandmother, Nana Rose, had a garden that was nothing short of magical. As kids, we’d spend summer afternoons lost amongst the rows of tomatoes, beans, and, of course, vibrant yellow squash. Nana Rose always had a way of turning simple ingredients into something extraordinary. I remember … Read more
Tomatoes and Zucchini With Meatballs: A Taste of Summer in Every Bite The scent of simmering tomatoes, garlic, and basil instantly transports me back to my grandmother’s sun-drenched kitchen in Sicily. She had a way of turning the simplest ingredients, often plucked fresh from her garden, into the most incredible meals. One dish that always … Read more
Pinakbet: A Taste of Home My grandmother, Lola Ising, had a garden bursting with life. Towering tomato plants, sprawling squash vines, and vibrant okra stalks were her pride and joy. As a child, I remember her patiently guiding me through the rows, teaching me the names of each vegetable. But more than the gardening lessons, … Read more
The Quintessential Squash Soufflé: A Culinary Masterpiece The first time I tasted a proper squash soufflé, I was a wide-eyed culinary student volunteering at a charity gala. The head chef, a formidable woman with hands like sandpaper and a heart of gold, tasked me with gently folding the ethereal egg whites into the squash mixture. … Read more
Two Cheese Squash Casserole: A Taste of Summer’s Bounty My grandmother, Nana Elsie, had a garden that was legendary in our family. Rows upon rows of vibrant vegetables stretched out under the summer sun, and she always knew exactly what to do with every zucchini, tomato, and squash that came her way. While she was … Read more
Ground Turkey With Creamy Squash Sauce over Noodles: A Cozy Fall Classic My grandmother, bless her heart, was a firm believer that squash could fix just about anything. Colds, rainy days, even the occasional broken heart – a hearty bowl of something squash-based was her remedy. This dish, with its creamy, slightly sweet sauce clinging … Read more
Herb Roasted Winter Squash: A Celebration of Autumn Flavors I can still recall the crisp autumn air, the scent of woodsmoke hanging gently, and the vibrant hues of pumpkins and squash piled high at the local farmer’s market. My grandmother would always select an array of colorful winter squashes – butternut, acorn, and those adorable … Read more
Winter Squash Bisque: A Bowl of Cozy The first crisp days of autumn always bring back a flood of memories—the crunch of leaves underfoot, the smell of woodsmoke in the air, and, most vividly, the comforting aroma of my grandmother’s winter squash bisque simmering on the stove. Her tiny kitchen, perpetually warm and fragrant, was … Read more
A Symphony of Simplicity: Squash, Zucchini, and Potatoes I remember the first time I truly appreciated the beauty of simple, unfussy food. It was late summer, the garden overflowing with a riot of zucchini, squash, and the earthy scent of freshly dug potatoes filled the air. My grandmother, a woman of few words but immense … Read more
Grilled Zucchini & Yellow Squash: A Summer Garden Delight The smell of grilling vegetables always transports me back to my childhood summers. My grandfather, a passionate gardener, would always harvest the most beautiful zucchini and yellow squash. He’d fire up the grill, and the aroma of smoky, slightly charred vegetables, seasoned simply with salt, pepper, … Read more
The Harvest Table: Roasted Chicken with Autumn Squash I still remember the scent that would fill my grandmother’s kitchen every autumn. It was a symphony of sweet and savory – the rich aroma of roasting chicken mingling with the earthy sweetness of squash. She would always make a big batch, enough to feed the entire … Read more
Roasted Squash with Balsamic Vinegar: A Simple Italian Delight There’s a certain magic that happens when the simple sweetness of squash meets the tangy depth of balsamic vinegar. I remember the first time I tasted this combination. I was a young cook, visiting a small trattoria nestled in the Tuscan hills. The air was thick … Read more
Moroccan Spiced Squash and Carrot Soup: A Culinary Journey to North Africa The first time I tasted this soup, I was huddled around a small table in a bustling Marrakech market. The air, thick with the scent of spices and grilling meats, was punctuated by the rhythmic calls of vendors. A steaming bowl of vibrant … Read more
Mexican Ratatouille: A Taste of the Southwest Sun The memory still warms me – standing in Abuela Elena’s kitchen, the air thick with the scent of simmering tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and just a hint of smoky chile. It wasn’t your typical French ratatouille, no. This was her ratatouille, a vibrant celebration of the Southwest, born … Read more
Kadu Bouranee: An Afghan Delight I remember the first time I tasted Kadu Bouranee. It was at a small Afghan restaurant tucked away in a quiet corner of my city. The warm, spiced aroma filled the air, and when the plate arrived, glistening with a rich tomato sauce and dolloped with creamy yogurt, I was … Read more
Fried Cymlings (Patty Pan Squash) With Bacon: A Taste of Bygone Days I remember summer afternoons spent in my grandmother’s kitchen, the air thick with the scent of sizzling bacon. While she was a master of Southern comfort food, it was her simple way with garden vegetables that truly captivated me. I recall the first … Read more
Tirshi: A Sephardic Pumpkin Salad to Brighten Any Table The first time I tasted tirshi, I was at my grandmother’s table, surrounded by family and the warm glow of a late afternoon sun. It wasn’t Thanksgiving; it was just a regular weeknight, but the array of dishes felt celebratory nonetheless. Among the roasted vegetables and … Read more
Hearty Harvest Chowder: Pumpkin or Butternut Squash Delight The first whiff of autumn always brings me back to my grandmother’s kitchen. Sunlight streaming through the window, a slight chill in the air, and the unmistakable aroma of simmering squash and warming spices. She’d always be stirring a pot of something comforting, and this chowder – … Read more
Spicy West Indian Pumpkin Soup: A Taste of the Islands The first time I tasted this soup, I was in a tiny beachside shack in Barbados. The air was thick with the scent of salt and spice, the sun beat down on the corrugated iron roof, and the rhythmic crash of waves provided the soundtrack. … Read more
Stewed Tomatoes and Cucuzza: A Taste of Southern Italy My grandmother, Nonna Emilia, had a garden that was nothing short of magical. As a child, summer visits meant wading through rows of vibrant vegetables, each one promising a new culinary adventure. While her tomatoes were legendary, it was the mysterious cucuzza, a long, pale green … Read more
Golden Harvest: Fried Potatoes and Squash The memory is as vivid as the aroma that filled our small kitchen: my grandmother, apron dusted with flour, patiently layering sliced potatoes, squash, and onions into her well-seasoned cast iron skillet. The sizzle of the vegetables meeting the hot oil, the rhythmic sprinkling of salt and pepper – … Read more