Description
Summer squash with basil and parmesan offers a simple yet elegant side dish from Italian culinary traditions. Garden-fresh ingredients combine with delicate sautéing technique, creating a light accompaniment you’ll crave all season long.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 (medium) yellow squash (about 1 lb / 454 g)
- 5 (large) fresh basil leaves
- 1 (small) Parmesan cheese (about ½ oz / 14 g)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 (medium) scallion
- ½ (medium) lemon
- 2 tbsps pine nuts
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Toasting Pine Nuts: Gently roast pine nuts in a large frying pan over medium heat, stirring intermittently until achieving a light golden-brown color. Transfer to a small bowl and reserve.
- Creating Cooking Base: Melt butter and olive oil in the same pan over medium-high heat, establishing a rich foundational layer for cooking.
- Sautéing Squash: Layer yellow squash evenly across the pan, seasoning with salt and black pepper. Allow squash to develop a golden-brown exterior and tender interior without constant manipulation.
- Aromatics Infusion: Create a clearing in the pan and introduce minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Quickly sauté until garlic becomes aromatic and turns a delicate golden shade.
- Flavor Integration: Merge garlic mixture with squash, then remove pan from heat. Fold in toasted pine nuts, sliced scallions, and fresh lemon juice, ensuring even flavor distribution.
- Finishing Touches: Transfer sautéed squash to a serving bowl. Garnish with hand-torn basil leaves and delicately shave Parmesan cheese over the top, adding a final layer of savory complexity.
Notes
- Maximize Caramelization: Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure squash develops a golden-brown crust, creating deeper flavor and preventing steaming.
- Timing is Crucial: Cook garlic quickly to prevent burning, which can introduce bitter notes and compromise the dish’s delicate taste profile.
- Pine Nut Protection: Toast nuts carefully and watch closely, as they can quickly transition from perfectly golden to burnt, impacting overall recipe quality.
- Freshness Matters: Use freshly grated Parmesan and just-picked basil to elevate the summer squash’s natural sweetness and enhance the dish’s aromatic qualities.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg