Slow Sautéed Pattypan Squash

2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, minced
1 ½ lbs small pattypan squash (golf ball sized), halved
Salt
2 Tbs minced fresh parsley leaves

Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and sauté over medium heat until softened about 3 minutes. Add the squash and stir to coat well with the oil and onion. Sprinkle generously with salt. Reduce the heat to medium low.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender and golden brown in spots, 20 to 30 minutes. Stir in the parsley and serve immediately. (Serves 4)

Stuffed Small Squash

6 small straight necked yellow or zucchini squash or 8 small pattypan squash
1 Tbs butter
3 Tbs olive oil
½ lb sliced mushrooms
½ cup chopped onions
1-2 tsp chopped garlic
1 ½ cups peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
½ cup toasted pine nuts
1 Tbs chopped parsley
1 Tbs chopped fresh mint
½ tsp ground cardamom
1 tsp oregano
1 Tbs lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Wash and trim the squash. Blanch in boiling salted water until tender, but still firmly shaped, approximately 5 minutes. Cool in cold water, and drain. Halve lengthwise (or across for pattypan squash) and scoop out the flesh, leaving just enough edge to hold the shells intact; set aside. Chop the excess flesh and put into a strainer to drain the excess water.

Heat the butter and 1 Tbs of the oil, and lightly brown the mushrooms. Set aside. Cook the onions in 1 Tbs of the oil until golden, add the garlic, and cook 30 seconds. Add the drained squash flesh and the tomatoes. Cover the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes to release the juices, uncover and cook rapidly to reduce the juices. Stir in the mushrooms, nuts, parsley, mint, cardamom, oregano, remaining 1 Tbs oil, and lemon juice. Mix well and season with salt and pepper.

Spoon stuffing into squash shells and place in a greased pan. Cover the bottom of the pan with water. Bake in a preheated 375º oven until the squash is tender. This will take 15-30 minutes, depending upon the thickness of the squash shells. (Serves 6-8)