Pattypan squash: The delicious, healthy hero of your kitchen

Although it looks like something from another planet, the pattypan squash is a vegetable that should have a permanent place in our kitchen. Not only is it extremely decorative, but it's also healthy, easy to digest, and low in calories. What's more, when prepared properly, it can surprise with a slightly sweet flavour that can rival many desserts. Discover the culinary and health benefits of the pattypan squash – a vegetable that doesn't make you gain weight, yet tastes like a delicacy.

In the era of conscious eating and the search for low-calorie alternatives to traditional snacks, the pattypan squash becomes the unsung hero of healthy cuisine. This vegetable, belonging to the gourd family, contains only about 20 calories per 100 grams, making it an excellent choice for those watching their figure. Despite its low-calorie count, pattypans are filling and full of nutritional value – especially vitamins and trace elements.

The list of health benefits of the pattypan includes high vitamin C content, known for strengthening the immune system and neutralizing free radicals. Additionally, vitamin C benefits skin condition by helping to smooth fine wrinkles and delaying cellular aging processes. The pattypan is also a source of B vitamins, which regulate the nervous system's functioning and support metabolism and heart function.

Interestingly, the taste of pattypan – although delicate – often surprises. For some, it slightly resembles zucchini or cucumber, while others detect a subtle hint of apple. This unusual combination makes the vegetable perfect for both savoury dishes and slightly sweeter compositions.

The versatility of the pattypan in the kitchen might surprise even seasoned cooking enthusiasts. One of its greatest advantages is the ability to consume it raw – especially with young specimens. Thinly sliced pattypan works wonderfully as a crunchy snack, an alternative to chips, or as a salad ingredient. Combined with a bit of olive oil, herbs, and nuts, it becomes a wholesome, light meal.

But that's just the beginning. Pattypans can be cooked, stewed, baked, fried, and even grilled. Its flesh is tender and easily absorbs spices, allowing for various flavour versions – from spicy to herbal. A great idea for a quick dinner is pattypan fries – sliced strips of the vegetable seasoned with a mix of spices and baked in the oven. This is a healthy alternative to classic potato fries, ideal for people on a diet.

One of the more impressive and satisfying recipes is stuffed pattypan. Simply hollow out the centre and fill it with a meat or vegetarian stuffing – for example, with couscous, tomatoes, onions, and aromatic herbs. After baking in the oven, you get an impressive and healthy dish that can proudly be served at the holiday table.

Pattypan also pairs perfectly with other vegetables in one-pot dishes, such as ratatouille, vegetable stews, or casseroles. Thanks to its structure, it doesn’t overcook too quickly, and its taste complements more intense ingredients wonderfully.

The pattypan is a seasonal vegetable, but its taste and nutritional values can be preserved longer through preserves. Young pattypans are perfect for pickling and fermenting. In this form, they remain crunchy and are an excellent addition to winter dinners, sandwiches, or snacks. Additionally, thanks to fermentation, they become a natural probiotic, supporting digestion and immunity.

Moreover, pattypans are not difficult to grow. They require a sunny spot and regular watering, but after just a month from planting, you can enjoy the first yields. This makes them an ideal choice for those who would like to grow vegetables themselves in home gardens or on balconies.