Pattypan squash: The surprising sweet hero of healthy eating
Forget about dull vegetable sides. This cosmic treat is a true culinary chameleon, capable of replacing unhealthy sweets while supplying your body with valuable nutrients.
Although it looks like something from another planet, the pattypan squash is a vegetable that should have a permanent place in our kitchens. It is not only visually appealing but also healthy, easy to digest, and low in calories. What's more, when prepared properly, it can surprise you 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 fatten, yet tastes like a delicacy.
Pattypan squash – the ideal vegetable for a healthy diet
In the era of conscious eating and the search for low-calorie alternatives to traditional snacks, the pattypan squash emerges as 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 neutralising free radicals. Additionally, vitamin C benefits skin condition – it helps smooth fine wrinkles and delays cellular ageing processes. The pattypan is also a source of B vitamins, which regulate the nervous system's function and support metabolism and heart health.
Interestingly, the taste of pattypan – although delicate – often surprises. For some, it slightly resembles courgette 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.
How to eat pattypan? Pattypan in the kitchen – healthy and guilt-free
The versatility of the pattypan in the kitchen might surprise even seasoned cooking enthusiasts. One of its greatest advantages is that it can be consumed raw, especially when young. Thinly sliced pattypan works wonderfully as a crunchy snack, an alternative to crisps, 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 flavours – 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 chips, ideal for those 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 wholesome 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.
Pattypan – a treasure in the home pantry
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 harvests. This makes them an ideal choice for those who want to grow vegetables themselves in home gardens or on balconies.
