Summer Squash Strata Recipe

Stratas are like a super-easy kind of quiche, with a layer of bread instead of a crust and topped with veggies, eggs, and cheese. They make a quick-to-throw-together supper, but they also shine at brunch.

This summer strata stars summer squash and onion paired with sharp cheddar: plenty of calcium and omega-3, and a luscious harvest of fresh garden taste.

INGREDIENTS

4 slices cracked wheat bread
2 cups sliced summer squash or zucchini
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 1/2 cups milk
3 eggs
1/4 cup minced onion
1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
cayenne pepper

1. Butter a 9-inch baking dish. Line the dish with the bread.

2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the squash to the boiling water and boil for 3 to 5 minutes, until tender. Drain, plunge the squash into cold water to stop the cooking, and drain again. Pat dry.

3. Combine the squash, cheese, and butter in a large mixing bowl. Toss to mix. Layer the squash mixture on top of the bread.

4. In a medium-size mixing bowl, beat together the milk, eggs, onion, salt, dry mustard, and cayenne to taste. Pour over the casserole.

5. Refrigerate the strata for at least 1 hour, up to overnight.

6. Preheat the oven to 350F.

7. Bake the strata for 40 to 50 minutes, until it is puffed, set, and browned.

8. Let the strata sit for about 5 minutes before serving.

Serves 4.

Read more: Food, All recipes, Entrees

Adapted from The Classic Zucchini Cookbook, by Nancy C. Ralston, Marynor Jordan, and Andrea Chesman (Storey Books, 2002). Copyright (c) 2002 by Ralston, Jordan, and Chesman. Reprinted by permission of Storey Books.
Adapted from The Classic Zucchini Cookbook, by Nancy C. Ralston, Marynor Jordan, and Andrea Chesman (Storey Books, 2002).