Summer Squash

'Tis the time of year that vegetable gardens are getting started. For anyone growing summer squash, soon you will be looking for ways to get rid of the unbelievably prolific fruits of your labor.
Neighbors will quickly adopt "duck-and-cover" techniques to avoid you, as you wander the streets trying to give away the armloads of zucchini and crookneck, some the size of small missiles because they stayed hidden for too long.
Freezing summer squash is possible, but not recommended. When it is thawed, it is very mushy and unappealing. Living in the desert Southwest, recipes abound for making use of these buggers, and I have come up with my own casserole......The recipe follows!

Summer Squash Surprise

3 small crookneck (yellow) squash,  sliced into 1/2 inch pieces and parboiled for about 3 minutes (drain with slotted spoon...save water)

1/2 pkg spaghetti noodles, broken in half and boiled in water used to parboil squash, until almost al dente...drain (the noodles will continue to soften in the oven, mixed with the liquids so don't fully cook them now)

3/4 to 1 whole chub hot Italian sausage,  cooked  (cook a patty and chop it, or crumble while frying) and drained

1 medium onion, diced and sauteed in the grease from cooking the sausage

chopped garlic (amount to taste) added to sauteeing onions during the last minute or two

Chopped green chile to taste (we like alot of it, if it is freshly roasted rather than canned)

1 can diced tomatoes, or 1 large diced fresh (or a large handful of cherry tomatoes, halved)

1 to 1-1/2 cans tomato soup (depends on how sloppy you like it)

1/2 soup can water

1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Mix together all ingredients except cheese and fill a 9 x 13ish-sized baking dish.
Top with cheese and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for about 1/2 hour or until bubbly and cheese is beginning to brown a little.

***Canned green chile tends to not be hot, if you are looking for mild flavor (and aren't chile-heads like we are)
***The idea of adding some batter-fried onions (think green bean casserole) mixed in with the cheese on top was suggested to me....I think I will try it next time!  *I did try it...turned out yummy!

The surprise part of "Squash Surprise" is in how much of each ingredient you choose to use, and in what else you can think of to add to it. Leftover corn works just fine....

  Enjoy!