Summer Squash

Summer squash are a soft-shelled vegetable with thin edible skins and seeds. With a tender flesh that requires only a short amount of cooking time, summer squash are very low in calories, high in vitamin C and high in fiber. Picked when immature while they are still tender, this variety of squash are generally eaten within a short period of time since they are very perishable, unlike winter squash that last for long periods of time. When storing, wrapped in plastic and placed in the refrigerator for no longer than 5 days. To prepare, summer squash can be steamed, baked, sautéed, and deep-fat fried. Common varieties of summer squash include crookneck, pattypan, yellow squash, and zucchini.