Food

yellow crookneck squash



vidalia onion

  I have been blessed to be born into a family of women who can cook.  I mean REALLY cook.  My grandmother and mother have always cooked huge meals for our family. 

  My mother still cooks all the time for groups of people.   My grandmother (who turns 89 tomorrow) doesn't cook anymore and in her later years would try "new" recipes, like putting a jar of salsa in her spaghetti to jazz it up. :)  I didn't eat it but I heard it was not good.

    I have been fortunate to inherit several family recipes that I still crave and have to cook regularly.  One of them is my grandmother's squash casserole.  As soon as the squash in our garden starts blooming, I start craving squash casserole.   So I thought I'd share my Nana's Squash casserole recipe on my blog.  We have had so much squash that I've sauteed it w/ the onions and froze it for future casseroles.  Alway cook onion w/ squash b/c it brings out the flavor in the squash. 




Squash Casserole

6 medium squash sliced in 1/4 inch circles

1/2 vidalia onion, diced

vegetable oil

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

3 lg eggs

1/4 cup mayonaisse (I know, right?)

1 1/2 cups crumbled ritz crackers

2 tbl butter

Salt & Pepper to taste

Saute' squash and onion is vegetable oil (not sure how much, we never really measure it)  until tender.  Transfer mixture to a mixing bowl.  Add 3/4 cup of cheese to mixture, followed by mayo and mix well.  The mayo keeps it moist, you could probably substitute sour cream and extra salt and it would probably taste close to the same. I use the Olive Oil Mayo and it works well.  Now add eggs and mix well. Pour into a buttered 8 x 8 casserole dish and bake @ 350.  I'd like to say how long but I cook it until it's firm and starting to brown.  My grandmother never has times on any of her recipes.  When the casserole is almost finished top w/ crumbled crackers and drizzle w/ melted butter, toast for around 10 minutes (golden brown).   Remove and cool. 

*squash can be sauteed w/ onion and frozen for future casseroles (especially in the winter months). 

I  had planned to post a picture of the finished casserole but I left it covered, on the stove and went to a swim meet. I came back and David had finished it :)