Simple Squash – And Simply The Best Day Ever
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According to my kids, yesterday was the best day of their lives. Now if someone had told me that, my immediate question would be, “Wow, what did you do?” I’d be thinking Disney World or extravagant gifts, maybe a winning lottery ticket or two. But you know the great thing about kids, families, and humans in general is that though we often think it may take something big to create “the best day ever” it seldom actually does. Yesterday was the perfect example of this.
We had an uncharacteristically lazy day at Bountiful. Out of the four of us, not a soul was dressed til noon. I cooked a lunch of spaghetti made with tomatoes from our garden and we all sat down to eat together after our lazy morning, chatting about the upcoming school year over lunch and iced tea. Then we took our time getting ready and headed out to Sam’s Club to buy apples and coffee creamer (they have these Gala apples that are especially good right now and we use so much coffee creamer that we prefer the LARGE container).
As soon as we entered the store the kids started talking about the last time we’d come and the samples they’d gotten to try (there are a lot of sample vendors set up on weekends with the new foods) and we all set off at their urging to find the samples first. They were excited to get to try a new yogurt stick, vanilla yogurt, and samples of some newly arrived fruit. We wandered around the store a while and those apples, some bell peppers, juice, and a watermelon found their way into our buggy.
By now it had been about four hours since lunch and the kids mentioned being hungry. Ricky and I got to talking about how we didn’t have anything planned for supper to which they both chimed in with hopes of pizza and I said “You know, we could just eat here and let the kids sit at the little tables in the food court area.”
This casual suggestion was met with cheers of “YAY! We wanna eat here!” Apparently this had been a goal of theirs for some time as I’m always in a hurry to get home after we check out and my kids, unbeknownst to me, had been longing for a leisurely sit in the Sam’s Club food court.
This was just too easy.
So we ate a supper of gargantuan pizza slices and oversized foam cups of tea while we talked some more about school lunches and such.
Then headed out to load our groceries in the car. When we left though, I turned out of the parking lot in the opposite direction of home. “What are you doing?” Ricky asked. “I’m about to make this day totally rock for the kids” I answered with a cryptic grin. A few minutes later I heard more cheers as I pulled into an automatic car wash.
I stopped for the attendant to brush down the front and back of my car with a sudsy broom as the kids watched in wide grinned wonder. He couldn’t help but see the faces pressed against the windows and he playfully slung suds at them, sending them into torrents of laughter. The other attendant motioned for me to pull up and line my car up with the track and then handed me two green suckers through the window for the kids. You’d think it was their first sucker at how tickled they both were.
In their eyes it was as if the entire universe had set aside today to give them the royal treatment all the way.
We drove through the car wash amid giggles and oohs as they waited for each new phase, their faces bright and happy with joy. As we pulled out and headed towards home they were quiet for a few minutes, until Katy pulled her sucker out of her mouth with a sigh of satisfaction and said “That was the best day ever.”
Brady joined in with his own satisfied sigh, “Yeah, it really was.” Then they both turned to watch the trek home out of their windows.
Sometimes it really is the simple things
So that is how I’m going to show you how to cook squash today. The simple way.
You’ll need yellow squash, an onion, salt, and pepper.
This is one of those recipes where you can make as much or as little as you like.
I’d suggest 1 squash and 1/4 onion per person. I’m going to use half of this onion.
By the way, I posted my recipe for Squash Casserole (my grandmother’s favorite casserole that I make) back when I first started Southern Plate. If you’d like to get that recipe and see some photography from the piteous camera I used back then, click here. The pictures aren’t that great, but the casserole is awesome!
Chop your onion and slice your squash.
Place them both in a large skillet.
I’m showing you how to do this on the stove top but I have instructions on how to do it in the microwave at the bottom as well.
add about a cup of water, just enough to cover the bottom of the skillet.
Now at this point, you can add about a tablespoon of bacon grease if you want to add in a bit more flavor. I’m just leaving mine water though because I dearly love the flavor of the squash on its own and the onion is compliment enough for me today.
Sometimes I do add bacon grease though, totally up to you.
Place on medium high heat just until the water in the bottom of the pan is gently boiling, then reduce heat to medium.
Put the lid on that and let it cook over medium heat for about ten minutes, or until the squash and onions are translucent
Translucent is fancy talk for “til they ain’t so white like they was when ya cut ‘em”
Now see this is a photo of some squash translucent and some not. See that squash in the center?
That one is done, stick a fork in it and eat up right now if ya want!
You can see some of the other ones still have a bit of white on them so they need a few more minutes
There, all done! Now we just gotta get them out with a slotted spoon to drain the water, place them on a plate and salt and pepper them!
Isn’t it pretty in this Jewel Tea bowl?
Salt and Pepper according to taste and you’re ready to go!
Simple Squash
Ingredients
- Yellow Squash (I am using two), sliced
- 1/2 Vidalia onion, chopped
- 1 Tablespoon bacon grease, optional (I left it out this time)
- water, salt, pepper
Instructions
- Place squash and onion in skillet. Add bacon grease (if using) and about 1 cup of water, just enough to cover bottom of pan and bring to a gentle boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cover, simmering for about ten minutes or until squash and onions are translucent. Strain out of the pan and salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
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Ingredients
- Yellow Squash (I am using two), sliced
- 1/2 Vidalia onion, chopped
- 1 Tablespoon bacon grease, optional (I left it out this time)
- water, salt, pepper
Instructions
- Place squash and onion in skillet. Add bacon grease (if using) and about 1 cup of water, just enough to cover bottom of pan and bring to a gentle boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cover, simmering for about ten minutes or until squash and onions are translucent. Strain out of the pan and salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.
Microwave instructions:
Place squash and onion in microwave safe bowl. Add water. Cover with cling wrap and microwave on high three to four minutes, or until translucent. Drain water and salt and pepper to taste.
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My squash casserole recipe may be found by clicking here.
Happiness is where you find it, seldom where you seek it.
Submitted by Lori. Submit your quote here.
Posted by Christy Jordan
on Jul 18 2010. Filed under Side Dishes.
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I love squash this way. I usually add my onion to a little bacon grease before adding the squash. One of the best dishes I eat in the summer.
Christy – I couldn’t help but to notice the jewel tea bowl. When I was little my mama always searched for this china. And I always thought she was nuts, well, because I had no appreciation for it. Now that I’m older she has collected it piece by piece and it’s all pretty in the China cabinet, I can’t wait to have it passed down to me one day.
Yum, taste great with a little baken’ greyse in it
This is how my mom used to cook squash (just how I LOVE it ) and brings back so many memories of summer meals around the supper table! Thanks for the memories Christy.
I agree with Eileen, I like my onions more done than I do my squash, so I always start them first, usually with a pat of butter. If I season more than S&P I like some fresh thyme from the garden. Yummy!
Christy, I loved your story about your kids’ “best day ever”. It reminded me a bit of your childhood story about the doughnut with pink icing and sprinkles. We often don’t even know when we are making lifetime memories with our families. I wish I had treated every day with my children as if it might be the “best day of their lives”.
I agree with you Elizabeth. My son is 5 and I still have time to work on it. Unfortunately in the hustle and bustle of single parenthood I realized I’d neglected a few important aspects. Christy always reminds me of why my childhood with my grandparents was so wonderful & special….. Simplicity, taking time to enjoy small pleasures, which actually are large pleasures for kiddos. Thank you once again Christy!!!!
I love squash & onions cooked this way!!! As for the carwash…… My son is right along with your kiddos!! It’s amazing how it delights them
Actually I love it too LOL That is a moment in time when the two of us sit inside watching pretty colored foam & are silly goofys hahaha
This is pretty much how my mom fixed our squash. I started doing mine in a small steamer (easier) along with just adding some sliced zucchini & vidalia onions then sprinkle fresh parmesan & cracked fresh pepper on it just before serving. Another nice twist is adding steamed button mushrooms & cooked bacon pieces to the above.
I love squash exactly the same way. My hubby likes for me to go one step further sometimes and drain the squash and onions and pour back into a skillet with hot melted butter and brown it just a bit. That’s the way his mother cooked squash.
Love your day spent with the kids doing simple things. Who would have thought that a car wash could be so entertaining!
Yummo! I love squash this way too….I add just a bit of butter and after it’s all cooked……top with shredded cheese and let it melt over it…. OMG I’m hungry now!! lol Thanks Christy…and I just love children’s way of looking at things, we should all give it a try now and then
This is a sweet and heartwarming post. Thanks for the story and for stimulating my own memories from so long ago. You are precious.
I believe children will long remember the little things that made them happy. My sons are grown now , but they amaze me frequently when they tell me some little thing they remember from childhood. Often the things I thought were big deals-they don’t now recall but they do remember seemingly small things like finding red whistle pops in their Xmas stockings one year when those were new. I sometimes think how a little thing makes me happy too..the first ripe peach, a burst of color the autumn of a red and yellow tree as I drive down the road, an unexpected rainbow. I sent in two quotes that were used here once already, but bear repeating as they fits this post.
Enjoy the little things in life for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things. Antonio Smith
Write it on your heart that everyday is the best day of the year. Ralph Waldo Emerson
squash does not need any water added. just chop the squash and onions add to hot pan of bacon drippings and saute til brown. different taste altoghther, delish.
My family loves to eat pizza at the Sam’s Club food court! They all think it’s a special treat and the price can’t be beat, either.
I love yellow squash cooked that way. I usually omit the onions because my crew won’t eat anything that has been in the vicinity of an onion. I also like to add some butter after draining off as much liquid as possible. Now I’m hungry for squash!
I love squash but I have to have the bacon. I also like what they call the pattypan squash. I cook them like Sengahoo. I am so glad that your kids seem to appreciate the simple things in life.
I’m proud to see kids who haven’t done so much they can’t have fun doing anything!! I love it that they had fun doing nothing.
Easy! Even easier – I just slice the stem and end off, then steam it by itself 9no onion)in a little bitty bit of water with salt and pepper, and sometimes seasoned salt. You can cut it up on your plate. Purty, too.
I LOVED you post today…made me a bit verklempt…please – just talk amongst ya’selves. Seriously, it was a beautiful post; you did a wonderful job of painting a priceless picture. Thank you
Christy,
I enjoyed reading about your kids “best day ever”. I confess that I enjoy the free samples at Sam”s Club too. Sometimes it’s the simple things kids remember the most! I love stewed squash! Thanks for reminding me to fix it like this. My family usually wants it fried, but I think I’ll stew it for them next time I cook squash.
The other yummy way that we love our squash is to steam it whole then slice in half (I use one of those pampered chef steamers in the microwave to save time… love that thing). Then spread a little butter on the hot halves and sprinkle with italian bread crumbs. Now put that under your broiler in the oven and brown the crumbs. Serve with a blob of sour cream. It is delicious!!! My mom makes an awesome squash cassarole with sour cream and bread crumbs and this was my way of making the fast version. Try it… you will love it.
Even though I am not a great fan of squash – I loved this post! Please tell Katy and Brady that no matter how old one is – a lot of older people really like the samples at Sam’s, too! Although I admit – the last time I ate at Sam’s Snack Bar area has been way too long. I am going to make a stop with my next Sam’s trip…I’ll think of Katy and Brady then. When my kids were small of the Walmarts had little snack areas – we were big fans of that. Couldn’t shop without smelling the popcorn… Those were the days… Or when I was a young girl McCrory’s had their snack bars right in the middle of the stores – Orange Drink would swirl away in a container on the counter…Thanks for the trip down memory lane…I needed it..
See it really is the simple things in life that kids love…Have a great week, Christy!
We did it at IKEA’s cafeteria last week. Loved it
What a wonderful family day! Those are precious moments. Even today, with my boys 22 and 20, they still love the simple family times. It is so important to take the time for those days. Life can get so hectic.
Thanks for the squash recipe. I love squash. I am waiting on the potatoes to cool so I can mix and eat your potato salad recipe!!
Thanks for always sharing such special times with us.
Blessings to you,
Pam
Like many southerners, I love yellow summer squash. They can be cooked so many ways. As a matter of fact, I have a casserole in the oven right this minute for supper. My husband loves fried squash, but I prefer mine in the purer form,baked or steamed with a little butter. Can’t beat it with stick. That’s another one of our “southern sayings”.Keep up the great things you do to bring so many happy memories to so many.
What a great story. My family loves the samples too…or as my niece calls them “examples”. Can we stop for some examples? She also likes riding the “alligator” (escalator) at the mall.
I picked up some yellow squash just yesterday. I don’t add water to mine. the liquid in the squash and the onions is plenty enough for my taste. Plus, I do fry it in the pan after I fry a couple of pieces of bacon. Another way I like it is to saute it with fresh tomatoes, green peppers, onions, corn fresh off the cob, and zucchini occasionally.
I saute it until it makes a nice vegetable stew. It’s great served over white rice with hot fried fish or chicken, and a pan of cornbread!! Add a glass of ice tea or lemonade, and I am in Heaven!!!! Try it before the Summer is over. You will not be disappointed.
I was thinking about the car wash. That is something I’ve never done with the grandkids, and I bet they would like that. Sometimes we get so caught up in the “big things”, that we forget it’s the little things that makes us happy.
Thanks for reminding me.
Toni
Christy—this is almost the same as I make but…boil the squash and sweetonion till done firm but not mush…add fresh ground black pepper…and cube up a little velveeta…can’t believe you havent thought of it…awesome southern middle TN squash recipe….will do it this way from now own…promise… Love you—Christa Garrett–Warrior,AL now ha
Ah, the simple things in life are sometimes the best, aren’t they? Our veggie season is just getting started here in the Pacific Northwest, and I finally have a yellow squash on my bushes. Hooray! We ate our first zucchini of the season today, and it was so very delicious. My children love the car wash too, and the samples at Costco (no Sam’s club nearby). Oh, yes, I was going to mention that the quotes at the bottom of your newsletters don’t show up on my e-mail. I have figured out how to view them though–I click and drag to highlight them, and then they show up. Pretty cool, huh? Yes, I did figure that one out all by my little own self. (Can you see me winking?)
I have a confession to make: I didn’t even read the recipe yet! The first part of your post reminded me of when my own kids were little. I loved those kinda days! Free cookies at the store bakery, lunch at a fast food place, renting a movie they get to pick- it truly is the little things that make life wonderful!
P.S. Now that I have read the recipe, let me interject! We love to do our squash like this, only on the grill. Just slice it a little thicker!
What a sweet day for your little ones Christy. Bless their little hearts. As adults we sometimes forget how the world looks through a child’s eyes. It’s simple little moments like these that they are more likely to remember years from now. Blessing’s
Sheila
Oh, Christy! My mom used to make yellow squash just like this for me because I loved it sooo much. The yellow squash I make for myself now just isn’t the same!
Denise
Perfect – don’t you just LOVE summertime food??? Squash and onions marry up right nicely, don’t they?
OMGOODNESS! I just about rolled in the floor laughing when I read this post! I thought MY kids were the only one who got a kick out of the car wash! Your totally right! It’s like they went to Disney World or something! LOL If you were a Davis, I’d TOTALLY think we were related…..They ♥ Samples at Sams Club, and their Pizza & Ice cream too!
Lol. Guess what my maiden name is??
Davis? HAHA…TOO Funny!
Lol! I was a Davis for over two decades, yes Ma’am!
and this is why I never miss a post. Of course your recipes are great, but for me it’s the stories, I love your stories. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Have a good green wonderful day!!
Christy,
My mom taught me to cut up the squash and onion the way you did but to put it in a pot with S & P and however much butter you like. I usually start with about a quarter stick. Then cover and cook on low. The squash and onion have enough liquid in it to where no more needs to be added. She called it stewed squash. It is so delicious!! Thanks for your wonderful website. I enjoy reading it every day!!!
Ther’es not much better than basic stewed squash….that’s how my Mama fixes it, but she cooks it a little longer.
Oh – that was the sweetest story about your kids
I have what is called an Amish Food Processor, which is a manual salad maker with cones. I use the cone with the wavey cutter, it makes little pieces. I use it to cut up the squash and onion. I then put this into a hot frying pan with bacon grease in it. I just keep stirring until it gets brown enough, salt and pepper to taste.
My aunt use to cut it like you do, but floured each piece and fried them in a frying pan. You couldn’t stop eating them as she fried them!!!!
I start my squash off just like this. But then I drain it. Mash with a potato masher. I add a 1/2 stick of butter, and some sugar. Delicious!!!!!!!!!
Christy I just love reading your stories! We love squash but we always add ham pieces to ours. Yumm havent had any yet this year. I love how reading your stories you make us stop and think. We get so busy in our lives that we forget to stop and take it all in. I can see my daughter loving that outing, my son not so much he is 14 now and thats probably not cool for him
We had a little outing this past saturday, just me, my husband and daughter to a local farmers market. We didnt buy anything but a lemonade but I let her look at all the produce and she was just in heaven. She had to touch everything and asked what they all were. They also had local craftsman there and she loved smelling the candles and looking at all the crafts. She had a ball, she is almost 4. I dont know if I would have looked at it that way, but by reading your blog you inspired me Christy, and I thank you!
I made this last night and my daughter who is MIss I Don’t Eat Squash ate it up! Thanks for sharing Christy, we all loved it!
OH WOW! As the mother of Princess-Picky-Pants, I am sharing your excitement!!! Thank you so much for letting me know, all I can say is WOW!!! lol Major Mommy Victory!
Gratefully,
Christy
I cook my crookneck the way my mama did. I add a bit of butter to my skillet, slice up my squash and onion (sliced not chopped) add a couple Tbsp. water cover and cook. Add salt and pepper to taste and gobble it up like a fiend.
Squash is one of my all time favorites, but unfortunately no one else here will eat it but me, so I don’t fix it often. I love the subtle flavor of the butter in the squash. Never thought of bacon grease, but like you I truly enjoy the flavor of the squash and don’t want to mask it too much.
We were poor as church mice when I was little. Course I didn’t know it. I had the most fabulous mom who made us feel like we were the most special kiddo’s around. This can be attested to by the fact all the kids wanted to play at our house even though we didn’t have color tv, fancy games or toys, just the most amazing mom.
My fondest memories are of Sunday afternoon drives where my dad would drive out in the country, every time he came to a cross road, he’d let one of us kids pick which way to turn. We drove up many a old country driveway, but we found some of the most amazing spots too. They’d stop at some little country store ( you know the kind that everyone in that town gathers at) buy bologna ( fresh sliced from the market) or wieners and a loaf of bread and miracle whip ( my mom preferred to mayo)
We stop somewhere and eat lunch, a few times that was in gorgeous old cemeteries, by streams, fields or old church yards.
We had sooooo much fun, exploring old abandoned farm houses or barns. It was amazing and CHEAP. I wouldn’t trade those Sundays for all the Disney lands, six flags and water parks in the world.
I fixed this the other night for supper and added a small zucchini to it. I sliced the onion and it was a meal fit for royalty !! Thanks so much for sharing it!
Hey Christy,
I made this with the bacon dripping a couple nights ago. I had two squash and half an onion. It was sooooo good I ate every single bit of it. May never go back to the butter again.
No onions, butter, salt, pepper, pinch of sugar,3/4 or so cup of water…bring to a boil and then cut to a simmer….that’s how my mama did ‘em. We fought over the little “baby” pieces!
Terrific old-fashioned home cooking. I cook mine like this, but instead of water, I use 1/2 cup good chicken broth (purchased or homemade). I always use the bacon grease and sometimes add a pat of butter, too.
We try to have those kind of days often. As my kids are getting older, I can’t help but think how precious they are. Every day is truely a blessing to be treasured. I’m a blessed woman with 3 beautiful children and a wonderful husband.
My mom use to make something similar. We would cook the squash in water with salt. When it was done she would mash it and add black pepper. On cold dreary days I still love to make this dish. Although sometimes I switch dill for the black pepper. It always makes me think of her.
[...] Simple Squash [...]
I haven’t made this recipe, but it looks kind of msuhy. I don’t care for mushy vegetables. If someone can give me a yellow squash recipe that is not mushy I could really use it!
[...] Sandi Hawk Squash and onions! [...]
When green beans get ready,the last 10 minutes of cooking place small yellow squash on top and cover pan. This is truly to die for! No mushy squash!