Summer Squash Scampi Recipes

SPAGHETTI SQUASH SCAMPI BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Cut the squash in half widthwise with a serrated knife and remove the seeds with a spoon. Brush the flesh of each half with 1 teaspoon of the oil and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Put the halves flesh-side down on a baking sheet and bake until the flesh can easily be flaked with a fork and the edges just turn brown, about 45 minutes.
• Separate the strands of squash by scraping the flesh with a fork. Transfer the scraped strands to a large bowl. Cover with foil and keep warm. Reserve the scraped squash shells.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in the skillet. Add the shrimp and cook until golden pink, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the shrimp to the bowl with the squash strands.
• Return the skillet to medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of the butter. When melted, add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the wine and lemon juice. Increase the heat to high and boil until the liquid thickens slightly, about 1 minute. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons butter and the parsley.
• Pour the sauce over the shrimp and squash strands and toss to combine. Transfer the mixture back into the squash shells and top with grated Parmesan, more parsley and red pepper flakes.

SHRIMP SCAMPI WITH YELLOW-SQUASH NOODLES

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Season shrimp with salt; add to skillet in a single layer. Cook, flipping once, until opaque, about 3 minutes; transfer to a plate.
• Reduce heat to medium; add butter, garlic, and red-pepper flakes to skillet. Cook, stirring, about 2 minutes.
• Add squash noodles; cook, stirring, until just tender, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat; add lemon juice, parsley, and shrimp. Season with salt. Toss to combine; serve.

RIBBONY SHRIMP AND PASTA SCAMPI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions for al dente.
• While the pasta cooks, trim the top and bottom off of each squash. Peel the squash in ribbons into a colander, using a vegetable peeler, turning the squash as you peel. Stop peeling the squash when you only have the center core of seeds left. Discard the core and seeds.
• Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water, and then drain the pasta over the squash ribbons. Put in a medium bowl and toss to evenly distribute the pasta with the squash ribbons.
• Toss the shrimp with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and some pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp, spread into a single layer and cook without stirring, until just turning pink around the edges, about 2 minutes. Stir the shrimp, add the tomatoes, garlic and pepper flakes and continue to cook until the tomatoes have softened and the garlic has toasted, about 1 minute. Add the pasta and squash ribbons, broth and the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook, tossing, until warmed through and most of the liquid has been absorbed. Add the pasta water a bit at a time, if needed, if the noodles seem dry.
• Season with additional salt and pepper. Divide among 4 bowls and top with the chives.

SUMMER SHRIMP SCAMPI WITH TOMATOES AND CORN

Steps:

• Pat the shrimp very dry and season with salt and pepper. In a large (12-inch) skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and lightly golden in spots, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the shrimp to a plate.
• Add the tomatoes to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring just once or twice, until they start to blister in spots, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the corn, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring just once or twice, until the tomatoes burst and the corn is golden in spots, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the garlic and red-pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until you smell garlic, about 1 minute.
• Reduce heat to medium, and add the wine and lemon juice, scraping any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until nearly evaporated, then add the butter and stir until melted. Add the shrimp and its juices and stir until warmed through. (If the sauce breaks and looks greasy, add 1 or 2 teaspoons of water and stir until emulsified.)
• Remove from heat, add the herbs, season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve with extra lemon for squeezing over, if you like.