Yellow Squash Puree on Buttered Ritz as an Amuse-bouche

7/30/2023

Fresh yellow squash puree enriched with onions and garlic served on a buttered Ritz cracker, topped with shredded cheddar cheese, and a sprig of Italian leaf parsley.

Steam the squash, onion, and garlic

Close up of the veggies

The Cuisinart Steamer has been in my kitchen for at least 20 years. It quit working once and Cuisinart replaced it absolutely free. This is a must-have kitchen tool.

As mentioned in the caption under the steamer picture, I've had the Cuisinart stainless steel steamer for 20 years. It's handy for fresh vegetables. Typically, I'll steam carrots and broccoli. This is a first for squash. Since I was making a puree, I decided steaming was the best way to keep the veggies from being waterlogged and to maintain the vegetable's nutritional value.

Nutritional value? By submerging vegetables in water, vitamins B & C, as well as, antioxidants cause nutrients to leach out into the water.

Interestingly, I never thought about making a puree by steaming as opposed to boiling. It's perfect. I had some leftover puree, after making the Amuse-bouche, so I'm going to make a squash casserole. First, I'll add cream cheese to the puree along with some cheddar cheese and place it in a casserole dish. Top it off with some buttered, crumbled Ritz Crackers. Bake it at 350 degrees for 20 - 30 minutes. I'll wait until it's bubbling on the sides to pull it out of the oven. Yum.

Anyway, back to the Amuse-bouche. I got the idea for the buttered Ritz Cracker from Chef Sara Bradley. While on Top Chef, contestants had to make an Amuse-bouche (I believe, it could've been an appetizer only). Sara said she warms Ritz Crackers in a pan with butter all the time at the restaurant. I decided to give it a whirl. I'm glad I did. I'll use this tip moving forward.

Let's get back to the original recipe. It's fresh, yellow squash puree on a buttered Ritz, topped with cheese and a garnish for color.

Ingredients:
Six medium size yellow squash. Cut off the tops and peel it like you would a cucumber. Chop into round slices about 1/4 inch thick.
Three slices of yellow onion (no need to chop)
Two garlic cloves (just smash it once and put in the steamer)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Ritz Crackers
Tablespoon of butter
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Garnish

Directions:
Place all three vegetables in a steamer or boiling water...if you must
Salt and Pepper to taste.
Add spray butter to the veggies (not much)
Steam for 15-20 minutes or until you can stick a fork through the squash.
Let the steamed vegetables cool for five minutes. Add to the blender. Puree. Add more salt to taste.

Get your sauté pan. Add the butter. Add the Ritz crackers. Sauté' then flip and lightly brown the other side. Remove from the stovetop.
Assemble. Ritz Cracker, Squash puree, cheese, garnish