Summer Squash Basics

One of the most common vegetables you’ll find at the supermarket or farmers markets during the summer is summer squash. Unlike winter squash, summer squash has a higher water content and is not a starchy vegetable, making it lower in calories. There are different types of summer squash, including:

• • Zucchini — commonly green & similar in shape to a cucumber

• • Yellow Summer Squash — often used interchangeably with zucchini

• • Pattypan Squash — yellow or green in color, small and round with scalloped edges; more tender and delicate than other summer squash varieties

All summer squash varieties are good sources of vitamins A and C, manganese, magnesium, and potassium, nutrients that are involved in heart health, preventing arthritis, and keeping your skin beautiful.

Nutrition Facts for 1 cup sliced, cooked summer squash: 36 calories, 1.6 g protein, 8 g carbohydrate, 2.5 g fiber, 0.5 g fat

Coming up: Ways to use summer squash!