Summer squash and green chiles DSC 4974

Summer squash and green chiles

On a recent visit to Texas, I was staying with a friend and cooked her family dinner. There was an abundance of squash and green chiles in their refrigerator, so along with a block of cheese, crushed crackers, and milk, I made a squash casserole.

It was a hit, as anything that’s creamy, cheesy, and rich can be. Yet my friend commented that as delicious as it was, she was craving a less fussy dish that focused solely on the yellow squash. She explained that when it’s in season, yellow squash’s sweet and savory essence doesn’t need much adornment.

The next day, I paid a visit to my grandma’s farm. My uncle Austin, who’s recently moved up there to help around the place, was in the kitchen making a pot of vegetarian chili for supper. While he was cooking, I asked if he needed any help. He pointed to a pile of yellow squash and asked if I’d like to do something with it. Even though I’d just had squash the night before, I thought back to what my friend had said, and decided to come up with a lighter, simpler recipe that allowed the squash to shine.

Summer squash and green chiles | Homesick Texan

After scouring through the refrigerator, I saw my uncle had roasted a large batch of green chiles and I grabbed a few of those. I also diced some onion and thinly sliced the small yellow squash, chosen for its delicate size because my uncle said they had the best flavor.

In a large cast-iron skillet, I melted a large pat of butter than cooked the onion until it was just beginning to caramelize. Then I slid in the slices of yellow squash and seasoned everything with a few dashes of salt and pepper. After chopping the green chiles, I mixed them with the squash, tasted everything, and added a few squirts of lime juice for brightness.

The squash was tender with just enough crunch to be interesting, the chiles added a whisper of heat but not too much, and the onions and seasonings enhanced the flavor of the squash without overpowering it. It was quick, easy, and a pure taste of late summer.

At the table, the squash was devoured with everyone enjoying second helpings. There were also some leftovers, which were evenly divided between the guests, though everyone lamented there weren’t more to go around.

Later during my trip to Texas, I returned to my friend’s house. When I offered again to cook dinner, she asked if I could do something with her never-ending stash of squash. Thinking back on what she’d earlier suggested, I prepared the squash in the more austere fashion that I’d done at my grandma’s, though I also added garlic and cilantro, which gave the squash even more spark.

Summer squash and green chiles | Homesick Texan

This time, the squash was served as a side to chicken. As my friend took a bite, she smiled and said that she loved it, much like my family had done before. And since both she and my family have requested the recipe, I now share it with you.

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5 from 3 votes

Summer squash and green chiles

Servings 4
Author Lisa Fain

Ingredients

  • 4 Hatch or Anaheim chiles
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 pounds summer squash, sliced into 1/4” rounds
  • ¼ chopped cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice

Instructions

  • First you’ll need to roast the chiles. Place the chiles under the broiler until blackened, about 5 minutes per side. Place the chiles in a paper sack or plastic food-storage bag, close it tight and let the chiles steam for 20 minutes. Take the chiles out of the bag and gently rub off the skin. Remove the stem and seeds and dice the chiles.
  • In a large skillet, heat the butter on low heat. Add the onion and while stirring occasionally, cook until the onions are softened and just beginning to darken, about 7-10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 more seconds.
  • Add to the skillet the squash, salt, and pepper and while stirring occasionally, cook until squash is softened though still a bit crisp, about 7-10 minutes. Stir in the diced green chiles and cilantro. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.
  • Finish with a squirt of lime juice and serve warm.

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13 Comments

  1. Saundra Neely says:

    I make this often and add a tad of cumin…….a real taste of Tex-Mex!

    1. Lisa Fain says:

      Saundra–A pinch of cumin is an excellent addition!

  2. lisa murray trainer says:

    My daddy’s garden always produced an abundance of squash and we used to fry it or make a squash casserole and take it to church where it would take its place among all the others. Now I roast it but it’s been missing zing. what do you think about adding bacon??

    1. Lisa Fain says:

      Lisa–You can never go wrong with bacon–so I say go for it!

  3. I buy my Hatch green chiles already roasted, cleaned and chopped. This is a new way for me, but I didn’t want to roast just a few and to have 5 pounds chopped and frozen sounded perfect. The first dish I’m making is this squash. Simple but perfect with all the right flavors.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Wishes for tasty dishes,
    Linda

    1. Lisa Fain says:

      Linda–Enjoy the squash! I love having already roasted, peeled, and chopped chiles on hand myself. Makes cooking a bit easier!

  4. Vaughan Greene, Ms says:

    Hello Lisa.
    Your food is inspiring and has a nice twist. Thank you. Own and love your Queso book.
    Question, can you char/prepare a bunch of chiles and then freeze them? Or do they get too mushy? thanks!
    Vaughan

    1. Lisa Fain says:

      Vaughan–Yes you can freeze them!

  5. I’ve got to make this and Central Market still have hatch chili’s.
    Did you like the vegetarian chili that your Uncle Austin made? Would he share the recipe?