Baby petit pan squash

Costco is really ramping it up with gourmet food items. Online, you can order aged balsamic vinegars and fine olive oils from their “fine foods” section. In store, I’ve recently found moderately priced treats like chanterelle mushrooms (which I used in a mushroom tart) and now, baby petit pan (aka pattypan) squash.

The tiny tender squash are extremely beautiful in their bright yellow and green skins, and several people around me commented on them while waiting in line. I hope they weren’t just admiring, but went and bought some of these delicious and somewhat exotic vegetables.

Pattypan squash have a delicate scalloped edge, edible stem and resemble small flowers. They are well suited for serving as a nice looking but easy to make side dish that will impress dinner guests. After a horrible experience dining at Edmonton’s La Ronde restaurant, I realized how easy it is to fuck that up though. I was thrilled to see the expensive squash on my plate as a seasonal vegetable, but was dismayed when it was undercooked and bitter. Gross.

I simply steamed mine for about 6 minutes, tossed them in a bit of butter and sprinkled with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, cracked pepper and some Maldon salt. They are sweet and buttery, like tiny courgettes, with a bit of an al dente bite. I cannot stop popping them in my mouth. The perfect afternoon snack!

Costco: not just for hot dogs anymore.

Pattypan squash: $7.99 for a two pack (750g) at Costco