Summer Squash Gratin

The abundance of summer squash won't last much longer, so I am picking it up where ever and whenever I see it. The trouble is that I have to come up with new ways of preparing the sweet vegetable. After getting a large quantity from my friend Tom at the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, I was determined to create a new recipe and one that would use up some of the herbs I have growing in my backyard as well. 

I had a recipe for a squash gratin stored away that I was wanting to eventually try, but it was too many steps. I decided to start from that and majorly simplify it. By the end, I had completely changed it, but it turned into one of my favorite new recipes of the summer! Squash and cheese....two of the best foods together in one blissful harmony :)

Summer Squash Gratin

Yields: 4-6 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30-35 minutes

2 pounds summer squash, sliced (using a mandolin makes this easy)

1 teaspoon salt 

3 medium shallots, thinly sliced (about 3/4 cups)

1 cup grated gruyere cheese 

Freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves 

2 small cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Toss the squash slices with salt and set this aside for 10 minutes. Drain the squash in a colander and lay on a paper towel for a few minutes to absorb any remaining moisture, then add to a large mixing bowl. Add in shallots, gruyere, thyme, parsley and garlic, then toss gently to combine.

Transfer the mixture to a 9×9-inch baking dish and drizzle olive oil and black pepper on top. Bake 30-35 minutes, until the squash is tender and the cheese is bubbling up the sides.