Foraging Thyme

Summer Squash

by Melissa Petitto

Zucchini, Crookneck, Pattypan, Chayote, Costata Romanesco, mel ons, and cucumbers… there are so many varietals of the summer squash and when they arrive, they arrive with gusto! I often find I must be so creative to use them all up. The squash family, often mistaken for a vegetable, is classified as a fruit because they have seeds and are developed from the flower part of the plant. I adore stuffing the blossoms of these delightful fruits, making them into noodles, grilling them, sautéing them, shaving them into ribbons and mar inating them, or even baking with them; honestly, the list is endless. For today’s farmers market haul, I am focusing on the traditional zucchini.

Zucchini or courgettes have been used in traditional folk medicine for centuries. They were used to fight colds, treat aches, and combat certain health conditions. Today, science has backed those claims. Zucchini is rich in vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds. It is especially high in Vitamin A when cooked. Vitamin A is essential for vision health, immune system, skin health, and lung health. Zucchini is also high in antioxidants lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene which help to aid in eye health, skin health, heart health, and protect against certain cancers. This summer squash is also high in fiber for our digestion and heart health, potassium, and carotenoids which may help lower blood pressure, and manganese, lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamins A and C, which contribute to healthy vision.

I mentioned above all the incredible ways I love to use these bountiful summer squash in the kitchen, but the below recipe is one of my favorites. You may substitute yellow zucchini or crookneck for the zucchini or use a combination of all of them for a gorgeous presentation! Let’s get cooking.

Summer Zucchini and Cherry Tomato Tart with Pesto Ricotta

Yield: 8 Servings

2 puff pastry sheets, vegan brand such as Aussie

1 cup almond milk ricotta

½ cup pesto, homemade or store bought

4 cups shaved ribbons of zucchini

2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced

Salt and pepper

Directions: other policies in an effort to address private listing networks and “pocket listings.” Generally, “coming soon” refers to properties that are listed with the MLS, even though the property is not available for showing and/or purchase for a specific period of time.

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Lay the thawed puff pastry on the prepared baking sheet.

3. In a bowl, mix together the ricotta and the pesto. Spread evenly on the 2 sheets of pastry.

4. Top with shaved zucchini and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Rotate and bake for another 10 minutes or until browned and crispy.

6. Cool and cut into 4 even pieces. Can be served hot or room temperature.

Melissa Petitto, R.D., is an executive chef and co-founder at Thymeless My Chef SB, was a celebrity personal chef for 16 years, just finished her 10th cookbook, and is an expert on nutrition and wellness.

According to SBMLS rules & regs, the purpose of a coming soon listing is to allow a designation for those properties that are listed but that require more time to prepare for market and inform other agents of the listing during the marketing and showing preparation.

The rule goes on to state that, “Properties with a Coming Soon status will not be included on REALTOR. com, SBAOR.com, or in any IDX feeds or other third-party site feeds. They are also not included on Tour of Homes or Open House lists.” And that the Coming Soon status “shall not be used or implemented to create a “pocket listing.”

While there are restrictions on these listings, Kelly Mahan Herrick, a Berkshire Hathaway agent focusing on the Santa Ynez Valley, noted that some agents still share them with potential buyers.

Off-Market Movement

Clarke emphasized that while there are some off-market properties, the majority of properties still get listed on the MLS, which has been the traditional practice in the industry. However, she acknowledged, “If clients require privacy, for whatever reason, and don’t want their property on the open market, they’ll do it very quietly.”

Clarke suggested that the current focus on off-market houses might stem from the bias created by the scarcity of inventory. With fewer options available, any movement, whether on or off the market, garners increased attention. She explained, “Since we’ve had such limited