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Bacon Herb-Roasted Summer Squash

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Every once in a while I have an idea that is just pure genius. Well, this is one of those times. A few weeks back I started thinking about how good it would be to drizzle hot bacon grease over a mixture of summer squash.

Well after thinking on it a while and mulling over different herbs to pair it with, this is what I came up with, Bacon Herb-Roasted Summer Squash!

I cooked it earlier in the week and it was so delicious. Everyone that tried it loved it so far. I am hoping that you will too. Let us know in the comments below if you tried it and liked it.

Ingredients to Make Bacon Herb-Roasted Summer Squash

Once the dead of summer gets here, the squash starts coming off the vines in masses. You can only eat so much fried or sauteed squash. This is a dish that gives you something unique and different to use that summer squash in.

The star of this dish is Summer squash. We use three types of squash, Yellow Squash, Patty Pan Squash, and Zucchini. Bell pepper and onions help round out the flavors. Next, we use Basil, thyme, and garlic to help add a punch to this Summer Squash side dish. The star of the show though is the bacon and the bacon grease the veggies are sautéed in.

Closeup picture of roasted Bacon Summer Squash for pintrest.

If you only have one type of squash, you can still make this recipe with just one variety. Don’t fret if you only have Yellow Squash. You could make this dish one night, then try this Southern Fried Squash Fritters the next! This recipe is a family favorite of ours.

How To Make It Bacon Herb-Roasted Summer Squash

Here are the simple steps and ingredients you will need to make this delicious summer squash dish.

Zucchini | Photo by Angele J

Ingredients:

  • 1 Zucchini
  • 1 Yellow Squash
  • 1 Patty Pan Squash
  • 1 Bell Pepper
  • 1 Small Sweet Onion
  • 1/2 cup of fresh chopped Basil
  • 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme
  • 3 cloves garlic minced or pressed
  • 2 strips of bacon, cooked and then chopped
  • 1/2 cup of bacon grease
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Bacon Herb Mixture:

Step 1. Start by putting the bacon grease in a bowl small bowl. Add in the chopped basil and thyme.

Step 2. Take your minced or pressed garlic and add that to the small bowl. Next, mix the ingredients in the small bowl and set to the side.

Main Instructions:

Step 1. Cut your squash up into small 1/2-inch size pieces. Chop up the bell pepper and onions. Add all the veggies into a bigger bowl.

Step 2. Take your bacon herb mixture and drizzle over the veggies in the bigger bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Give the veggies a few tosses to mix the ingredients well.

Step 3. Heat your oven to 425.

Step 4. Spread your veggie mixture out on a sheet pan. Once your oven has come up to temperature, put your veggies in the oven.

Step 5. Cook the dish for 20 mins. Check it about halfway through so you can stir the veggies around. This allows the dish to cook evenly.

Step 6. Once the dish has cooked, remove it from the oven and place it in a serving bowl.

Step 7. Chop up your bacon and sprinkle it over the dish. Mix it.

Note: To really elevate this recipe, try drizzling a balsamic reduction (Balsamic Glaze) over the warm summer squash mixture! The sweetness from this Balsamic glaze pairs perfectly with the richness of the bacon grease. The acid in the Balsamic reduction also helps to cut through the fat in the bacon grease. 

FAQ’s

What if I can’t find Patty Pan Squash?

You can mix and match the vegetables in this dish. If you don’t have Pattypan Squash, just Use Zucchini and Yellow Squash. Or if you only have Yellow squash, you can just use that.

Do I have to use Bacon Grease and/or what if I don’t have Bacon Grease?

If you do not have bacon grease on hand, you are missing out! The bacon grease in my opinion makes this dish. But if you do not have bacon grease or prefer not to use it, my suggestion would be to use Olive oil as a substitute.

Where Do You Get Bacon Grease From?

If you ask most southern cooks, they keep bacon grease on hand. What most do, is use some sort of strainer to hold the grease. There are several ways you can do this. You can strain the grease while it is hot, then pour it into a mason jar and place it in the refrigerator. I leave mine out on the counter. There are many debates about this but I use the smell test. If it smells bad, I toss it out. If it smells like bacon grease, I keep it. I also keep mine in a grease strainer.

What is a Grease Strainer?

A Grease Strainer is a great device for storing and straining your bacon grease or any grease that you may have for that matter. I would say though if you are using this for bacon grease and want to re-use it for cooking, I would only put bacon grease in it and no other grease.

Thanks for stopping by to check us out. We hope you liked this recipe. Leave us some feedback to let us know what you think.

-Ronnie | Let’s Get Food Junked
Yield: 8 people

Bacon Herb-Roasted Summer Squash

This is a closeup of Summer Squash Side Dish.

The smokey and salty flavors of the bacon grease pair well with the bright and warm flavors of the Basil and Thyme. This makes an excellent side dish that your family is sure to enjoy. Make sure to add in a splash of Balsamic Vinegar at the end for that extra zip!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Zucchini, You can use any combination of squash you like. Feel free to add in other veggies as well
  • 1 Yellow Squash
  • 1 Patty Pan Squash
  • 1 Bell Pepper/Green Pepper
  • 1 small sweet onion
  • 1/2 cup fresh chopped basil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 3 cloves garlic minced or pressed
  • 2 strips bacon cooked then chopped
  • 1/2 cup bacon grease
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions

Bacon Herb Mixture

  1. Start by putting the bacon grease in a bowl small bowl. Add in the chopped basil and thyme.
  2. Take your minced or pressed garlic and add that to the small bowl. Next, mix the ingredients together in the small bowl and set to the side.

Main Instructions

  1. Cut your squash up into small 1/2-inch size pieces. Chop up the bell pepper and onions. Add all the veggies into a bigger bowl.
  2. Take your bacon herb mixture and drizzle over the veggies in the bigger bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Give the veggies a few tosses to mix the ingredients together well.
  3. Heat your oven to 425 degrees farenheit
  4. Spread your veggie mixture out on a sheet pan. Once your oven has come up to temperature, put your veggies in the oven.
  5. Cook the dish for 20 mins. Check it about halfway through so you can stir the veggies around. This allows the dish to cook evenly.
  6. Once the dish has cooked, remove it from the oven and place it in a serving bowl.
  7. Chop up your bacon and sprinkle it over the dish. Mix it together.

Notes

Note: If you want to really elevate this recipe, try drizzling a balsamic reduction (Balsamic Glaze) over the warm summer squash mixture! The sweetness from this Balsamic glaze pairs perfectly with the richness of the bacon grease. The acid in the Balsamic reduction also helps to cut through the fat in the bacon grease.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1 grams

Amount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g

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