What Is A Lemon Squash, And Does It Taste Like Lemons

Many fruits and vegetables are instantly recognizable by their color and shape. Unique fruits, such as dragon fruit and durian, can be identified a mile away from their spike-like shapes. Even bananas and oranges are easily distinguishable by their vibrant colors and unique shapes (though they may have some doppelgangers in plantains and clementines).

Next time you're at the farmers market, closely examine what you're putting in your basket. That small yellow fruit you may want to make next-level lemonade or a key lime pie with may not be a lemon, and it may not be a fruit at all. Lemon squash, also known as lemon drop squash, is a yellow vegetable that looks eerily similar to a lemon. The vegetable is a summer squash that is close in color and size to a lemon, but beyond that, it carries a flavor and texture of its own.

When most people think of squash, they most often associate the vegetable with the fall season. However, despite being called summer squash, the lemon squash is in season all year. Other summer squashes include zucchini and crookneck squash. Lemon squash is similar to crookneck squash in terms of color and flavor.

As a lemon squash matures, its yellow skin becomes thick and the seeds inside will harden. It is recommended to eat lemon squash when they are young. No matter the stage you consume lemon squashes, they boast numerous health benefits. They are rich in vitamins A, B6, and C and magnesium, fiber, and potassium.

This fruit-looking squash can be hard to find. The best place to buy them is at a farmers market, or you can grow them yourself. Once you get your hands on lemon squash, there are many ways to cook them.

Although they may look like lemons, they don't taste like tart fruits. A lemon squash tends to have a nutty flavor with hints of sweetness. They can be sautéed, baked, fried, and grilled. Add sautéed lemon squash to a vegan tofu stir-fry with carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli for a splash of color.

Since lemon squash is a summer squash, it can be swapped into any recipe that calls for something like zucchini. If you have time, you can try making lemon squash zoodles by cutting them thin into a noodle. It can be a fun way to get your daily intake of vegetables. Don't want to spend too much time at the stove? Incorporate lemon squash into a baked squash casserole or stuffed squash — the shape is perfect for stuffing ingredients inside. Uncooked lemon squash can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.