Fried Patty Pan Squash Patties : Ugly Duckling Bakery

Name: Fried Patty Pan Squash Patties
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1½ pounds patty pan squash (one large or two medium); 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon thyme; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 1 egg, lightly beaten; 1 tablespoon neutral-flavored vegetable oil like corn or safflower

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These fried patty pan squash patties are a great patty pan squash recipe for those of you who either love patty pans or are being overrun with squash from your vegetable garden.

If you have a vegetable garden, you know that summer brings a bounty. Perfect tomatoes. Maybe some beans. A pepper or two. And squash.

three fried patty pan squash platties stacked on a plate

So. Much. Squash.

Every year I make a list of recipes to use up all that squash. Ratatouille. Breaded squash. Squash galettes. Squash pickles. This fried patty pan squash patties recipe is the one that has gone on repeat.

Tips and tricks for this recipe

About patty pan and other summer squash

The thing about summer squash is that they grow so quickly and so well that you can get quickly overrun by them. Huge summer squash seeds can be bitter and change the texture of these squash patties. If you’ve got a large squash, just avoid grating the center.

ProTip: Try to pick your squash before they get to be large, say over a pound. And it’s always best to eat your summer squash as soon as you pick it.

A patty pan squash on a scale reading over one and half pounds.

Grating patty pan squash

Summer squash are mostly water. So, just like with potato latkes, if you don’t squeeze out all the liquid you’ll get watery patties that don’t fry well.

At least grated squash doesn’t turn brown like potatoes do.

grated patty pan squash draining in a colander.

You can let the squash drain for a while, but you will still need to actively squeeze out the water. I will sometimes do this by using my hand to push the squash against the sieve. But it is more effective to use a clean kitchen towel.

Put the grated squash into the center of the towel. Pull up the four corners and twist into a ball.

Squeeze the squash. You will be surprised how much water comes out. Squeeze some more. Rest your hands and squeeze. Give it to someone else and have them squeeze.

When you think you’re done, give the ball one more squeeze, unwrap the towel, and put the squash into a bowl. Add the flour, salt, pepper, and any spices you are using. You should have less than a cup from a one-and-a-half pound squash.

a bowl containing flour, salt, and spices, and the squeezed ball of grated squash.

Making the squash patty mixture

Use a fork or your hands to pull apart the grated squash. That way you’ll get an even mix with the flour and other spices before you add the egg.

bowl with grated squash and flour showing how the squash can be pulled apart.

Frying the squash patties

Heat a griddle or frying pan with a thin layer of vegetable oil. Then use a large cookie scoop or a quarter cup measure to scoop out the mixture. Fry for about three to five minutes on each side.

two panels showing three patty pan squash patties fried on a griddle.

What to serve with fried patty pan squash patties

You could serve them with sour cream and applesauce as if they were potato latkes. They work as a side for roast chicken or sausage or scrambled eggs. Or serve them with my corn soup to celebrate the end of summer harvest.

Variations

This base recipe is easily adaptable. Use a different type of summer squash like zucchini. Add something in the onion family like onions, shallots, garlic, or green onions. Add some minced jalapeño peppers. Change up the herbs and spices. Or add some cheese.

Or try all of these variations, because, if you’re growing squash, you’ll have the opportunity.

FAQs about these fried patty pan squash patties

How do you grow a patty pan squash plant?

Very easily, it seems. Every year we get overrun with summer squash, and every year I say I’ll plant fewer the following year. Summer squash seeds like to be planted in mounds in sunny spots of the vegetable garden. Water deeply once or twice a week, and try to avoid getting water on the leaves.

What are the differences between squash patties, squash fritters, squash pancakes, and latkes made with summer squash?

There is a lot of overlap among these words. A fritter is deep fried rather than fried in a thin layer of oil as in this recipe. “Latke” means pancake in Yiddish, so those two are perfectly overlapping. Finally, Merriam-Webster defines “patty” as a little pie or a small, flat cake of chopped food.

Do I need to peel the squash?

There’s no need to peel summer squash. Just give it a great wash, slice off the ends, and grate the flesh until you get to the seeds.

Can I scale up this recipe?

Absolutely. No need to adjust. Just multiply for however much squash you want to use.

Can I freeze squash patties?

Absolutely. Let them cool on a paper towel to absorb any oil, and then layer them in a freezer bag. Warm them again in a single layer on a baking sheet in your oven.

Related recipes

Check out a similar recipe for purple sweet potato patties or other uglyducklingbakery side dishes.

Flush with summer produce? Make a sweet corn soup. Lots of basil? Make this orzo pesto salad with pesto alla Genovese. Or check out some suggestions for things you could make with cherry and other tomatoes.

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