Name: Sauteed Zucchini and Squash
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon butter; 1 large zucchini; 1 large yellow squash; 3 carrots; salt and pepper to taste

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This recipe for sauteed Zucchini and Squash comes together in less than 15 minutes for a quick and healthy side dish.

Anyone who has a summer garden is always looking for zucchini and summer squash recipes.

And this simple vegetable saute is one of my favorite ways to prepare these summer squashes. It is light, fresh, and comes together with just a handful of ingredients.

Tender ribbons of zucchini and yellow squash are sauteed with ribbons of crisp carrots lightly in butter. The zucchini and yellow squash become tender, while the carrots are still crisp-tender, creating the perfect contrast in texture in this simple vegetable side dish.

Ingredients Needed

Zucchini and Summer Squash: Use any combination of these two squash.
Carrots: For a pop of color and added texture. Feel free to omit if desired.
Butter: The butter adds a subtle richness to the vegetables. If you need this dish to be dairy-free or vegan-friendly, use olive oil or vegan butter.
Seasonings: This is a simple saute and does not require more than salt and pepper in terms of flavor. However, you can serve the sauteed vegetables with hot sauce, opt to add minced garlic to the vegetables for flavor, or even add in some Cajun seasoning in place of the salt and pepper for flair.

How to Make Vegetable Ribbons

This vegetable saute is made with ribbons of zucchini, summer squash, and carrots. It sounds complicated and looks fancy, but couldn't be easier to do. All you need to create vegetable ribbons is a vegetable peeler.

Thoroughly wash and dry vegetables.
Peel off outer skin if desired, I find that this is not necessary.
Using your vegetable peeler, make long strands of ribbons

Using vegetable peeler to make zucchini ribbons

How to Saute Zucchini and Squash

Over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of butter to a non-stick skillet.
Add in the veggies and using tongs, twist, and flip the veggies as they cook.
Once the zucchini and squash become tender, remove them from heat.
Now is the time to season with salt and pepper. This prevents the vegetables from getting soggy, as the salt causes the vegetables to release liquid.

Zucchini, yellow squash and carrot ribbons sauted in pan.

More Zucchini Recipes

If you enjoyed this easy vegetable saute, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

Saute pan with zucchini, yellow squash and carrot ribbons

Sauteed Zucchini and Squash

Zucchini, yellow squash, and carrot ribbons are sauteed lightly in butter for a quick and healthy side dish.

5 from 8 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings:

Calories: 71kcal

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Ingredients

Instructions

Thoroughly wash and dry vegetables. Using a vegetable peeler, make long strands of ribbons
In a 10-12 inch saute pan, melt butter slowly over medium-low heat.
Add in vegetables and turn heat up to medium-high. Saute for 5 minutes, or until zucchini and squash begin to wilt. Turning and flipping veggies as they cook.
Add in salt and pepper to taste. Top with chopped parsley if desired.

Equipment Needed

vegetable peel

Notes

If your zucchini and yellow squash are smaller, use 2 of each.

This recipe is easily doubled or tripled, just be sure to use a large enough saute pan.

To make this recipe vegan-friendly and dairy-free, use olive oil in place of butter

Add in salt and pepper at end of this vegetable saute. This prevents the vegetables from getting soggy, as the salt causes the vegetables to release liquid.

Leftover vegetable saute can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

This post was originally published in 2018 but was updated in 2020.

Comments

Toni

June 22, 2021 at 9:44 am

I love these summer veggies! My kids loved it, too!

Julia

June 22, 2021 at 9:01 am

I loved that the vegetables are sliced so thinly that it barely took any time to cook them. Lovely flavours too!

- Kristen Chidsey
  
  June 22, 2021 at 9:23 am
  
  This is such a fast recipe! So happy to hear you enjoyed it.
  
Natalie

June 22, 2021 at 1:30 am

Ok, I can eat veggies like this everyday! Love that they are ribbons, gives it a pretty presentation. Light & tasty!

- Kristen Chidsey
  
  June 22, 2021 at 9:24 am
  
  It does make for a fun presentation. Glad to hear you enjoyed Natalie.
  
Addie

July 18, 2020 at 10:11 am

I make this dish for myself, since my English husband doesn't like any kind of squash. I always add some Italian seasoning for a little depth and flavor, but that's just my preference.

- Kristen Chidsey
  
  July 18, 2020 at 12:55 pm
  
  So glad you enjoy this and I love the idea of adding Italian seasoning.
  
Beth

July 06, 2020 at 3:20 pm

Yum! This is so delicious and full of flavor! I will definitely be making this again!

- Kristen Chidsey
  
  July 07, 2020 at 9:31 am
  
  I am so glad you enjoyed Beth! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review.
  
Nellie Tracy

July 06, 2020 at 2:25 pm

Delicious recipe, perfect for summer!

- Kristen Chidsey
  
  July 07, 2020 at 9:30 am
  
  Glad you enjoyed
  
Reggie Bostwick

May 26, 2019 at 1:43 pm

I found this recipe and will try it soon.
I have some carrots and zucchini to use up soon.
I am a full-time caretaker for my bed bound wife.
We live in Tucson, Arizona.
Reggie

- Kristen Chidsey
  
  May 27, 2019 at 6:11 am
  
  I hope you & your wife enjoy! And what a blessing you are to your wife!