Zucchini and summer squash, sautéed with bell peppers, fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil, and served with melted cheddar cheese!
My mother is the only person I have ever known who can make summer squash taste this good!
Often this time of year gardens are overflowing with zucchini and summer squash. This quick and easy recipe is a great way to use up some of the bounty.
Note that summer squash varies in tenderness, sometimes you need to cook them a little longer, sometimes a little less.
Cheesy Summer Squash Sauté Recipe
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients
- 2 pounds summer squash and/or zucchini, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, seeds removed, sliced
- 2 smallish tomatoes or one large tomato, peeled and cut into wedges
- 1/2 yellow onion, peeled and sliced
- 1 clove of garlic, chopped
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 5 or 6 slices of cheese – jack or cheddar
- Basil, either dry or chopped fresh
- Salt and pepper
Method
1 Sauté onions, garlic, squash, and bell pepper: Put onion, garlic, squash, bell pepper into a large saucepan with a couple of tablespoons of olive oil. Put on high heat and brown the vegetables slightly to develop flavor.
As you are browning, sprinkle either dried basil or chopped fresh basil on the vegetables.
2 Add cheese: When vegetables are slightly browned, remove from heat, add the slices of cheese, and cover the pan.
3 Cook the tomatoes: In a separate stick-free fry pan, put the tomatoes and cook at medium hi heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want to let the juice from the tomatoes evaporate some.
4 Combine: After 5 minutes, add the tomatoes to the rest of the vegetables and stir. Salt and pepper to taste.
