Squash is actually a fruit because it contains seeds and develops from the flowering part of a plant. Summer squash vary in size, shape, and color but are generally mild tasting. The entire squash (seeds, flesh, and skin) is edible. The soft skin, or peel is where most of the nutrients are found, so it is important to keep the skin on when preparing and eating summer squash.
As we continue to enjoy the summer season, we want to keep the spotlight on fresh produce and this month our feature is summer squash, which originates from Central America and Mexico. These squashes grow quickly in the warm summer months as they take about 60 days from the time they are planted to when they are ready to harvest. Examples of summer squash varieties include zucchini, crookneck, calabacitas, and yellow squash.
As a kid, I was the designated “picky eater” of the family. Every family has one, and we all know who they are. My mother would often introduce me to new people as “her picky eater” and the one “whose best vegetables are ketchup and pumpkin pie.” I would slink off with the kids, doing my best to disappear until the inevitable dinner bell rung and I'd have to endure the humiliation of being the picky eater in front of strangers.
