If you call it yellow squash or summer squash, it is delicious whether you deep-fry it or not. We will show you how to fry yellow squash with the use of little to no oil.
It is impossible for summer on my planet to end without frying up a big pot of yellow squash or summer squash as I prefer to call it.
What is a “mess of squash”?
The individual serving is the amount needed for one meal. So how much squash do you need for your family? It depends on how many people you have. We mostly eat fried squash in my family so we usually make extra!
Cornmeal-coated squash is coated with flour, milk/egg mixture, and cornmeal/flour mixture on just three plates. Just one small amount of time, and it is worth the effort!
The recipe involves slicing the squash, rubbing it into cornmeal, and then frying it!
As part of my Instagram story earlier this year, I invited people to provide their comments on how they can distinguish between fried squash coated in cornmeal and fried squash coated with a flour and cornmeal mixture.
Fried yellow squash compared between the cornmeal and cornmeal/flour coatings. They appeared less crisp and slightly darker with the cornmeal-only coating. I fried them in dappled sunlight so they tasted similar so my family couldn’t tell the difference. It could have been the combination of sunlight and frying.
Do You Peel Yellow Squash Before Cooking?
Despite its soft skin, yellow squash does not require peeling before cooking. Cut off the tops and bottoms of the squash to prepare it for cooking, and slice it into rounds to fry.
How To Slice Squash
Squash should be sliced into 1/4″ rounds, and all pieces should cook at about the same rate. Depending on your preferences, thicker slices are OK.
How To Make Fried Yellow Squash
Ingredients needed
Yellow Squash -This recipe also works with zucchini. You may buy yellow squash fresh from the market or from your homegrown garden.
Flour and Cornmeal – These ingredients are used to make the “batter”.
Egg and Milk – These wet ingredients are added to help the dry mixture become more sticky.
Seasoned Salt– Salt and pepper or Cajun seasoning are also great options, but I prefer seasoned salt.
Steps To Follow
- Cut the squash into discs that are about 3/8-inch thick and set aside after washing and drying. Then slice off and throw away the ends of the squash.
- The batter must be combined with a fork and beaten together until it is thick, almost like pudding. A drop of oil dropped into a skillet will sizzle after a few seconds (around 350 degrees F).
- Turn each slice of squash in the batter, allowing extra batter to drip off, then lay each piece in hot oil, adding generous amounts of salt and pepper (I like my squash extra spicy, so I’m pretty heavy-handed with the seasoning).
- You will need to work in batches to cook all of the squash until both sides are golden brown. Turn over each squash piece, then cook on the other side until brown, then remove from the pan with tongs.
How To Store
Warmed: If you have a large quantity of fried squash, you can keep it warm by placing it on a baking sheet and heating it at 250 degrees Fahrenheit until you are ready to serve it.
Store: Reheat leftovers at 375 degrees for about 5 minutes on a baking sheet after letting them cool. Any leftovers should be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for one or two days.
Recipe Tips
Serve them with your favourite sauce or even a little French fry seasoning after they have been fried. I like to serve them with Chick-fil-A sauce or even tarter sauce.
To add some heat and spice to the milk or flour mixture, add some cayenne or hot sauce. Ensure that the frying pan is not overcrowded or the potatoes will not cook evenly.
What to Serve with Fried Yellow Squash
This delicious side dish can be served with lots of things and can be the perfect addition to any summertime meal. Listed below are a few of my favourite recipes, which you can also serve as an appetizer. Grilled meats like pork, beef, and chicken work well.
Sticky Chicken- I recommend Pan Cooked (finger-licking) Sticky Chicken. I can confirm that the marinade is equally as delicious, and you may want to add more to the chicken before you eat it.
Pork Sandwich -Pork cooked over low heat until it is tender enough to be sliced into strips, topped with bbq sauce, your pulled pork sandwich becomes Pulled Pork BBQ. This sandwich is thick and juicy and goes very well with fried squash.
FAQs
1. Can You Reheat Fried Squash?
I do not recommend microwave cooking. If you bake them too long at 350 degrees on parchment-lined baking sheets, they will get soggy. Instead, bake them at 350 degrees for several minutes until they get a nice crisp crust.
2. How To Keep Fried Squash Crispy?
When slicing squash, place slices on a paper towel or in a colander after salting the rounds to help draw out extra water. You can keep squash crispy by using salt to help draw out extra water.
Let the slices sit for 15-30 minutes with salt sprinkled over them to remove moisture. When ready to cook, lightly rinse the salt off and pat them dry.