Monday, July 16, 2018

Baked Squash with Cheese and Panko



If you have a garden, yellow squash is probably coming in fast and thick. My friend Karen Hines recently brought me a dish of her grandmother's Baked Squash. We gobbled it up, and I asked for the recipe, which I'm sharing with you today. Karen's grandmother, Mabel Lester Furrow, baked this in the summer when squash was plentiful, and it takes Karen back to the summers of her childhood and her beloved grandmother.

The original recipe makes a huge amount so I made half of it, which is plenty to serve four people as a side dish. I also added a little bit of cheese because I happened to have it on hand. But that's entirely optional. What I love about this old-fashioned recipe is that it's healthy and light with a nice crispy topping. Don't be afraid to omit the cheese. It's delicious either way. I've listed the amounts in the original recipe in parentheses in case you're baking for a crowd. Note that the quantity of eggs remains the same, even if you make the halved recipe. The original recipe calls for baking it at 375. I was in a bit of a hurry and baked it at 400, which worked great.

I think this would be a wonderful recipe for someone who is learning to cook. It really doesn't matter how you cut the squash because it will be mashed anyway. Steaming is easy. And most of the mixing can even be done by hand.

I used one super large and one small yellow squash. The squash should be around 1 1/2 pounds in weight but I think the recipe is forgiving if you err a little bit either way.

Mabel Lester Furrow's Baked Squash

8-inch baking dish or an 8-inch pie dish

1 1/2 pounds yellow squash (3 pounds)
1/4 cup chopped onion (1/2 cup)
black pepper to taste (1/2 teaspoon)
2 eggs, beaten (2 eggs!)
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar (1 tablespoon)
1/2 teaspoon salt (1 teaspoon)
1/2 cup shredded Jack cheese (optional)

For the top:
4 tablespoons butter (8 tablespoons)
1/2 cup Panko (1/2 cup cracker meal or breadcrumbs)
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan (optional)

Butter the baking dish. Wash the squash, cut it up, and steam until tender. Drain off the liquid. Mash the squash. Mix with onion, pepper, eggs, sugar, salt, and Jack cheese. Pour into pan and spread out. Melt the butter and mix with Panko and Parmesan. Sprinkle lavishly over the top. Bake at 400 for 30 minutes or until it bubbles and the top is golden.

Steam or boil the cut squash.

Mix with onion, eggs, seasonings, and a little cheese.
Mix the Parmesan with the Panko and melted butter.
Sprinkle over the top.
Pretty enough for company!
Yum!


Have you read THE DIVA COOKS UP A STORM? I'm giving away a copy today to one person who leaves a comment. Don't forget to leave your e-address so I can contact you if you win.

45 comments:

  1. Yummy! I love yellow squash. This looks easy and delicious.
    bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

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  2. Looks sooo good! Looking forward to reading Cooks Up a Storm.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  3. I have not read Cooking Up a Storm, but would like to! Here is Alabama we call that Squash Casserole, and use Ritz crackers instead of Panko crumbs. But I bet it all is delicious! Wendy Clark
    clarksrfun at gmail dot com

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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. I am always looking for ways to use up squash. It looks decievingly sinful with the topping! I am looking forward to reading the new Diva book! Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. I have not read Cooking up a Storm but would like too and hope to do so soon. I'm wondering if a person could substitute zucchini instead of the yellow squash. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net

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  7. I would enjoy this delectable recipe and it is perfect for summer. The book sounds delightful and captivating. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  8. Cooking Up a Storm would be greatly enjoyed as would this beautiful meal for our family. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  9. I love baked squash, and this recipe sounds heavenly. I will definitely include the cheeses! I have not read The Diva Cooks Up A Storm...yet, but I love the premise! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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  10. I haven’t read that yet
    sgiden @ verizon(.)net

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  11. Wow right now we have so much squash and have run out of things to do with it so this is just perfect. I have not read the book yet but would love to ptclayton2@aol.com

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  12. I have not read THE DIVA COOKS UP A STORM yet, but would love to, thanks for the giveaway. lclee59(at)centurylink(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  13. The recipe looks great! And ty for the giveaway. Legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

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  14. I love the cover of your book. How nice it would be sitting there having a meal.
    robsnest60{at}yahoo{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  15. My mom's squash casserole was always one of my favorites. This recipe sounds really good! I'll have to try it. I have not read your book yet, but it is on my To Read list. Thanks for the chance to win!
    mlduffer(at)att(dot)net

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  16. I haven't read the book yet, but I would love too. Love books with recipes. Always looking for something new to fix. pwtish171@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. We love squash in just about anything. Cooked or raw. And a new great looking recipe is deeply appreciated. Would make a great side dish or meatless meal. Throw in some left over meat and/or veggies. You have dinner. Lovely cover. Like the kitty sleeping in the chair. Typical isn't it. Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc (dot) com

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  18. This recipe looks very tastey! I love your books...right now I'm reading Color Me Murder.
    Heidiark@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. I haven't read Diva Cooks Up a Storm yet, thanks for the chance to win. More importantly, I love squash and can't wait to try this recipe! Also, I will probably be eating the whole thing myself...
    awilcox1182@gmail.com

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  20. I love squash casserole! I think it’s a requirement if you live in the South.
    patdupuy@yahoo.com

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  21. Ooh, yum! And my “No, I don’t like _____” (enter almost any veghie here) son might enjoy it, too! Another new recipe for the summer - happy dance! And thanks for the chance to win a book, Krista - very generous of you. Book__wyrm@sbcglobal.net

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  22. Sorry to say I have not yet read THE DIVA COOKS UP A STORM. This is a great recipe, another way to enjoy the squash that I sometimes forget I enjoy so much. Thanks!
    sallycootie(at)gmail(dot)com

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  23. I haven't read it yet. Thank you for the chance to win. Dmskrug3 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Yummy....that recipe looks and sounds so good! Thank you for this chance as I would love to read a copy of this book!
    cheriegravette AT sbcglobal DOT net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Congratulations, Cherie! You are out winner!

      Delete
  25. I have not read Cooking Up a Storm, but would like to. Recipe looks good! Can you substitute butternut squash? dm _ richards (at) yahoo (dot) com Thanks!

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  26. This looks delicious. Thanks for the chance.
    judytucker1947@gmail.com

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  27. Looks great. Love all 3 of your series, karden45@comcast.net , Karen Harris

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  28. Yummy....I'm going to do a combo of squash and zucchini. Thanks for the recipe! I haven't read the book yet; but would love to. kjdugas (at) verizon (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thanks for the recipe and the opportunity. Cheers (at) MarjimManor (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I haven't read it yet but would love to. Would also love to be the lucky winner (I'm old, I can lay it out there!)

    Oh, and Divas, my magic swag bag is running on fumes again. Could I bet a refill of bookmarks from all of you?

    ReplyDelete
  31. Looks yummy. ckmbeg@gmail.com

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  32. The recipe looks great & I would love a chance to win your amazing book, Thanks for your great generosity. lindamay4852@yahoo.com

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  33. I really have to try this recipe as I love squash! I have yet to read The Diva Cooks Up A Storm but I love the other Diva books!
    teddi1961(at)arcemont(dot)com

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  34. Soft, moist quash with a crunchy topping.
    Perfect.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  35. I own and have read all of the Diva books, and every time there is a contest I try to win one. Not once have I been successful. But today, I’m feeling lucky. :-) pattie.tierney@gmail.com

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  36. Sounds wonderful. I just happen to have a good bit of squash. May try this one. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of your new Diva book. kayt18 (at) comcast (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  37. This looks yummy & I like how easy it is. I haven't read your new Diva book yet. turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. Would love to read your book! Thanks for the chance to win!

    faithdcreech at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love yellow squash! I remember as kids how excited we would be when my Dad brought yellow squash home. My Mom used to bread and fry it for our dinner. This recipe looks like a much better option, can't wait to try it. Also, looking forward to reading "The Diva Cooks Up A Storm".
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  40. I miss my garden! Hopefully next year we will do one again. This sounds delicious! Wjcline@att.net

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  41. Tis the time of the season for yellow squash and zucchini. I'm always open for new recipes and this is a must try. Thanks for a chance to win a copy of Krista Davis's "The Diva Cooks Up A Storm." robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  42. Gabi Eagon
    Omg this looks delicious. Must try it. And I’m always up for a Krista Davis book. Thank you.
    gaeagon@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I always love a new recipe! Thanks for sharing😙 I can't wait to see what murder & mayhem is going on with Sophie!🔎🗡🔫💉⚰🍰🍮🥞🍛
    bcollin981 at gmail dot com

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  44. I eat squash all year but always take squash casserole on Thanksgiving. This looks like a good one for this year!! Oneponychick66@hotmail.com

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