Stewed Summer Squash and Tomatoes – How to Saute Summer Squash

Stewed Summer Squash and Tomatoes is a light side dish that can be served along the meat of your choice or eaten alone for a vegetarian option.  A base of onions, tomatoes and peppers compliment zucchini and yellow squash, and it’s made in one skillet, making kitchen clean-up a cinch.

Stewed Summer Squash and Tomato Recipe

I love using fresh produce to cook, particularly produce that comes from my garden or the local farmer’s market.  I may have gone a little overboard at the last market of the summer; my basket was overflowing with all sorts of squash, onions, cucumbers, and peppers.

Like I normally do, I opened up my favorite cookbook called Vegetables on the Side, and found a recipe for Creole Summer Squash.  I was serving steak on the grill (with this amazing marinade), and I knew that this skillet squash recipe would be the perfect accompaniment.

Even though the cookbook calls this Creole Squash, I would describe it more as a stewed squash with onions, very reminiscent of my Old Fashioned Stewed Tomatoes.  The base of the skillet summer squash is onions, tomatoes and peppers sautéed to perfection in olive oil.

My favorite part (other than the yummy flavor) is that it is made in one skillet, and one skillet only.  NO need to dirty 5 different pots and pans.  Clean up is a cinch.

Ingredient List

• Olive Oil (I prefer extra-virgin olive oil.)
• Onions
• Bell Peppers
• Tomatoes
• Summer Squash
• Zucchini
• Thyme
• Chicken Broth
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Butter

How to Make Stewed Squash and Onions

Step By Step Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet; sauté onions and peppers until translucent.
2. Add tomatoes and cook for an additional 3 minutes; stir in yellow squash and zucchini, cooking for 2 minutes.
3. Stir in thyme, broth, salt and pepper, and cook until squash is fork tender but not mushy.
4. Turn off heat, and add butter, stirring until it melts into sauce.

Storage Instructions

Let leftovers cool completely. Transfer to an airtight container, and store in the refrigerator.

For the full recipe for skillet summer squash with tomatoes, scroll to the bottom of this post.

Recipe FAQs

• Stewed Squash is a skillet meal—it is prepared in one skillet, and can be served right from it as well.  Less cleanup for the cook!
• This is the perfect recipe to use up random vegetables in the refrigerator.  If you have a red onion instead of white, use it.  Red or yellow peppers instead of green, go for it.  Loads of yellow squash, use all of it instead of zucchini.  It’s a versatile recipe.
• I love serving creole summer squash with a grilled meat such as 3 Ingredient Steak Marinade or Smoked Pork Chops or Grilled Pork Steak.
• The original recipe says to peel and seed the tomatoes, but I’m a “rustic” cook which means I’m lazy.  If you are so compelled to peel and seed, then go for it.
• Use a dry white wine or chicken or vegetable broth if that’s all you have.
• Fresh thyme can be substituted for the dried version.  Use 1 tablespoon of fresh.
• The butter at the end is the icing on the cake.  It melts into the vegetables and gives it a creamy sauce. But, if you want to omit the butter for calorie-sake, it will still be tasty.
• Looking for some more squash recipes?  We’ve got a nice collection.  Try Cheesy Zucchini and Summer Squash Casserole, Kentucky Southern Squash Casserole, Spicy Roasted Zucchini and Pan Fried Zucchini.

Recipe Variations

• Use all zucchini or all yellow squash, if needed.
• Add bacon! Or use bacon grease instead of olive oil.
• Minced garlic is a great addition.
• Use other dried herbs such as dried oregano.
• Garnish with fresh basil, parsley or Parmesan cheese.

Linking up to Meal Plan Monday.

Which is more nutritious, yellow squash or zucchini?

In most ways, yellow squash and zucchini are similar. They are both low calorie vegetables with high water content. The main difference is that zucchini has a higher content of carotenoids such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin making it slightly more healthy than yellow squash.

Are you supposed to eat the skin of yellow squash?

Go for it. The skin of a yellow squash is thin and edible. Plus, it’s a good source of fiber in your diet.

Can I replace zucchini with yellow squash?

Zucchini and yellow squash are similar in texture and both have a mild flavor, quickly absorbing the flavors around it. For that reason, just them interchangeably in recipes, if desired.

Kitchen Tools Needed for this Recipe

• Cutting Board and Sharp Knife or Veggie Chopper
• Large Skillet
• Measuring Spoons and Measuring Cups
• Large Spoon

Summer Squash Recipes

Old Fashioned Squash Casserole

Beef Stuffed Yellow Squash

Oven Roasted Squash