Squashes

The warm weather brings us the summer squashes to fill our garden: zucchinis, patty pans, and yellow crooknecks. Their massive leaves protect the soil from weed invasion. Their flowers become an edible treat or a beautiful landing pad for bumblebees. The fruit of these utilitarian garden cornerstones are a curiosity of their own. It is a bit peculiar to think of something as being “perfectly ripe” when it is immature, yet that is the case with summer squash. The zucchinis are firm, not spongy. Their rinds are tender and the squash are perfect to bring into the kitchen.