Squash is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of Italian recipes. Recipes with Italian squash are not only healthy but will taste amazing when prepared with fresh and flavorful ingredients.
All my Italian recipes are easy and simple because I’ve discovered that they make the best Italian dishes. These Italian squash recipes were handed down from Italian family members or are from my own creations.
I am excited to share them with you, and I hope you enjoy them as much as we do in our house!
Recipes with Italian Squash
Italian squash called zucca in Italian is the same as zucchini. So when I’m referring to recipes for Italian squash, I am using the terms zucchini and Italian squash interchangeably.
If you’re wondering about using yellow squash, you can – but understand that the flavor will be different. Plus, I’ve only made these recipes using green Italian squash, not the hooked yellow squash, so I can’t guarantee the results. Let me know in the comments below if you try it and how they turn out!
Italian Zucchini Pizza Boats
Here’s a recipe that turns Italian squash into easy zucchini pizza boats! This recipe is creative and fun, helping to turn kids or picky eaters into veggie fans, especially if they’ve been helping you in the garden to grow them. Cover the zucchini boats with some pizza sauce and toppings and you’re in business.
Pan-fried Italian Squash Flowers
Don’t let those beautiful yellow flowers that grow on the tips of your zucchini go to waste. Here’s a recipe for how to fry zucchini blossoms, turning them into crunchy snacks. I also explain how to store the fresh flowers so you can fry a bunch at one time later when you’re ready.
Easy Sautéed Fresh Italian Squash
This is such an easy side dish that I use with so many Italian recipes. Saute Italian squash with some Italian herbs and olive oil and serve alongside pasta or chicken dishes.
Baked Zucchini Slices Roundup
If you’re wondering what to do with a bunch of zucchini from your garden, check out this list of over 10 creative recipes for Italian squash that focus on baking zucchini slices rather than frying or sautéing. Many of these recipes can be frozen for later meal planning.
Baked Italian Zucchini Long Slices
Grab your baking pans and start slicing those beautiful long zucchini! This easy recipe is such a great way to use zucchini of any variety, whether black beauty or another variety. Bake the zucchini with slices cut lengthwise, cooked with onions that have been sauteed in olive oil, and top with breadcrumbs, Italian grated cheese, and rosemary on top. This is one of my favorite Italian summer squash recipes.
Stuffed Zucchini Boats
Using Italian squash in this recipe is best when the shape of the zucchini is the same width from one end to the other. Some Italian squash have some crazy shapes as they grow which makes it hard to use for a stuffed vegetarian zucchini boat recipe. It’s a great meatless recipe loaded with aromatic Italian flavors.
Italian Squash, Tomatoes and Breadcrumbs
This pasta recipe tastes best with fresh zucchini and tomatoes picked from the garden during the summer months. Similar to our stuffed zucchini boats above, this recipe simply layers the tomatoes and breadcrumbs on top for an open-faced Italian squash recipe.
Zoodles
Zoodles are a word used to describe zucchini noodles. I like to use this zoodles and basil recipe as a vegan pasta alternative, or with a salad. Use with an olive oil-based sauce or with a light marinara.
Zucchini Bruschetta
Here’s a fantastic recipe for Italian squash that is a great party appetizer for vegans or those that are gluten intolerant and can’t eat bread. Typically with Italian bruschetta recipes, we top slices of bread with tomatoes, but instead, for this recipe, we swap out the bread with zucchini to make zucchini bruschetta!
It’s creative and fun, and because these are so light, you can use up a lot of zucchini at parties with this recipe.
Zucchini, Eggplant with pasta
This recipe is another way to use up a bunch of Italian squash in a chunky fresh sauce over your pasta. Serve with cooked zucchini and eggplant over pasta along with Italian herbs and spices. This is a great meatless recipe that still has the chunkiness that we love in our pasta dishes.
I hope these recipes for Italian squash that I’ve suggested will provide you with ideas for making snacks, appetizers, or main dishes. Have fun and be creative with your recipes. I’m always trying new ways to make healthy Italian dishes, so make sure to sign up for my newsletter and follow me on social media. 😀
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