Life Worth The Living

Bountiful Squash

Summer Squash…a bountiful blessing of the season!  I love making squash casserole, and have experimented in the kitchen until I have a recipe that I like a lot.  This recipe is neither low-fat nor low-calorie, but it is yummy if you like squash.  I served this with green peas and a barbequed chicken that I slow-cooked in the crockpot today.

I enjoy making this casserole recipe in large quantities and freezing a few casseroles for later minus the crumb topping.  This makes a great side dish to pull out for a pot-luck when you are pushed for time, a gift for a family who is in need of encouragement, or a quick fix on a hectic evening for family dinner.  Just pull out of the freezer, pop in the oven, and heat until warm.  Then put a cracker crumb topping on, place back in the oven and brown until the casserole bubbles up through the topping.

The following recipe makes several casseroles (I made three 10X13 casseroles with the batch I made this week, but you can make more if you use a smaller pan.  My guess is five or six.)  This is a great way to preserve your summer squash.

SQUASH CASSEROLE

10 medium sized yellow crookneck squash

2 cans cream of celery soup

1 medium container sour cream (I’m guessing around 10-12oz.)

1 package (12 oz.) grated sharp cheddar cheese

2 tablespoons chicken flavored bouillon powder

2 sleeves Saltine crackers, crushed

3 tablespoons melted butter

Wash, slice and boil or steam squash until tender.  Mix squash, soup, sour cream, grated cheese, and chicken bouillon powder in a large bowl.  Pour into baking dishes that have been lightly coated with non-stick cooking spray.  If you are going to bake the casseroles right away, melt the butter and mix with the cracker crumbs.  Top the casseroles with the crumb topping and bake at 350 degrees F until the casserole bubbles up through the topping and the color is a golden brown.  If you are making these to freeze, simply cover them with aluminum foil without the crumb topping and store in the freezer.  Add the crumb topping when you actually bake them.

Squash Preparation

Boiling Squash

Casserole Mixture Before Baking

RECIPE SOURCE:  Casserole recipe adapted from one that my Mother makes.

Elizabeth