Name: Air-Fried Summer Squash With Chive Breadcrumbs Recipe
Total time: 55 min
Yield: Serves 2
Ingredients: 1 pound summer squash and/or zucchini, rinsed and trimmed; 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more; 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons everyday olive oil; 1 garlic clove, minced; Freshly ground black pepper; Finely grated zest of 1 small or 1/2 large lemon; 1/4 cup finely chopped chives

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By Ben Mims

June 25, 2020

Zucchini, which is slightly hardier, will take a little longer to cook than softer yellow summer squash, so be prepared if you go that route. And although it seems like a lot of salt for the squash, it’s needed to coat it well and give it flavor — besides, most of it will fall off once you squeeze and dry the squash. If you don’t have an air fryer or want to make this recipe in a conventional oven, see the Variation, below.

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1 pound summer squash and/or zucchini, rinsed and trimmed

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons everyday olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

Freshly ground black pepper

Finely grated zest of 1 small or ½ large lemon

¼ cup finely chopped chives

If using summer squash, cut the crooked neck section in half lengthwise, then crosswise into 1½- to 2-inch pieces. For the larger bulb section, halve it lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1-inch chunks. If using zucchini, quarter large ones or halve smaller ones lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1- to 1½-inch pieces. Place all the squash pieces in a colander set in your sink or over a bowl, sprinkle with the 2 teaspoons salt, then toss to evenly coat. Let the squash stand for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours.

Meanwhile, make the breadcrumbs: In a medium nonstick skillet, combine the breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons olive oil and the garlic, then place over medium-high heat. Season the crumbs with salt and pepper and cook, tossing often, until golden brown and toasted, 4 to 5 minutes. Scrape the crumbs into a bowl, then stir in the zest while warm. Let the crumbs cool to room temperature, then stir in the chives.

Pick up handfuls of the squash and squeeze them with your hands to remove as much moisture as possible without completely smashing the squash before transferring them to a bed of paper towels or a kitchen towel. Once all the squash is on the towel, lightly press with more paper towels or another kitchen towel to dry off the outside of the squash.

Make Ahead:

Store the squeezed and dried squash between paper or kitchen towels on a plate or baking sheet in the refrigerator for up to 1 day before cooking.

Transfer the squash to a large bowl, drizzle with 2 teaspoons olive oil and season with pepper. Toss to coat the squash in the oil, then transfer the squash to the basket of a 3- to 6-quart air fryer, spreading them out in as even a layer as possible. Set the temperature to 425 degrees and the timer for 20 minutes. Cook, tossing the squash in the basket once halfway through cooking, until blistered and caramelized all over.

Once cooked, transfer all the squash to a serving platter or individual plates and top with the breadcrumbs. Serve while hot.

Variations:

Conventional Oven Method: Use 2 pounds squash and toss it with 2 teaspoons kosher salt in Step 1. Heat the oven to 475 degrees. Transfer the squeezed and dried squash to a large, rimmed baking sheet and toss with 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon olive oil. Season with pepper, then arrange skin side down on the sheet; this is admittedly tedious, but it helps to remove as much moisture as possible from the squash so its flavor is more concentrated. Roast, without disturbing, until deep golden brown on the bottom and caramelized on top, 35 to 40 minutes.

Make Ahead:

Store the breadcrumbs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Recrisp them in a skillet over medium heat just before using.

Ben Mims

Ben Mims is a former cooking columnist for the Los Angeles Times. He has written three cookbooks and has worked as a food editor and recipe developer for several food media publications, such as Lucky Peach, Food & Wine, Saveur, Food Network and Buzzfeed/Tasty.