Taco Tuesday: Grilled Summer Squash Tacos
Grilled veggie tacos at their best using the summers most abundant produce: summer squash.
I’m super excited to introduce a new series here on Mountain Mama Cooks: Taco Tuesday. I’ve been throwing around the idea for a long while and what better time to start than right now. I mean really, who doesn’t love tacos? If you raised your hand, we might have to stop being friends. Everyone loves tacos (don’t they?) and I can’t think of more satisfying dinner on a hot summers night than a few simple tacos and a cold Tecate with a twist of lime.
The beauty of tacos is you can make them with anything. ANYTHING! Good thing I’m not picky when it comes to what fills my tacos. Carne Asada, ground chicken, eggs and chorizo or grilled vegetables, if it’s wrapped in a tortilla and you give me enough hot sauce and a cold beer to wash it down, I’m a pretty content mama. Unless we’re doing breakfast tacos, then I’d forgo the beer in lieu of a hot cup of coffee heavy on the sugar and half and half. I generally try to save the beer until at least noon. Unless I’m on vacation then what the hay? I’ll throw back a beer in the am if y’all are doing it too. Peer pressure at it’s finest.
First tacos out of the gate and I go veggie? A bold move, yes, but one bite and you’ll be changing your tune, I promise. I thought for sure grilled summer squash tacos were going to be a tough sell in my house. My man isn’t a big fan of zucchini and if I’m doing tacos, it’s usually with fish, beef or chicken so I knew that’s what he’d be expecting. I made them anyway since I love zucchini each and every way and sometimes you gotta do what you want do to, you know? And to be honest, if he didn’t eat them, I was fine with it. He can always fix a bowl of cereal if he doesn’t like what I’m cooking for dinner. In the end, it wasn’t even a problem and the cereal card didn’t have to be pulled. My car crashing husband didn’t make a peep about the fact that these tacos were filled with nothing but green stuff.
In fact, he chowed ’em like no ones business. I think the key was cutting the zucchini a little on the thick side and not over grilling it. Because summer squash has so much liquid, it’s easy for them to over cook and turn soggy (his biggest complaint). I cooked the squash (keeping a watchful eye on it) on medium high heat so they got a nice sear but still kept some crunch to them. I kept things simple with just a bit of olive oil and pantry spices as these beauties had come straight from the farmers market. I say it all the time but when you start with good product, you don’t need to much to make it shine. A little smashed avocado, cojita cheese, red onion and cilantro are the garnishes to pull these tacos together!
For the next few months I’ll be doing a new taco every Tuesday so check back often to see what I’m sharing. Next week will be spicy with a home, home on the range theme. Any ideas?? Feel free to share links and comments below on your favorite taco, I’d love to hear!
PrintTaco Tuesday: Grilled Summer Squash Tacos
Description
These grilled squash tacos are the epitome of summer. Grilled summer squash and avocado wrapped in a corn tortilla.
Ingredients
- 1 lb summer squash (zucchini and yellow squash mix)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- small pinch each of chili powder, cajun seasoning, cayenne, and salt
- 2 avocados
- juice of 1 lime
- salt
- 8 corn tortillas
- red onion
- cojita cheese
- cilantro
Instructions
- Cut the squash in half length wise and then into 1/2-inch thick pieces.
- Toss the squash with olive oil and spices to taste.
- Heat the grill to medium-high and watching carefully, sear squash on all sides just until heated through and crispy on the outside. Remove from grill and place on platter.
- In a small bowl, mash avocados with lime juice and a pinch of salt.
- Optional- but I like to throw the tortillas on the grill for just a minute to heat through!
- To serve tacos, spread some smashed avocado on each tortilla and then top with 3-4 pieces of summer squash.
- Optional: top each taco with crumbled cojita cheese (or feta), fresh cilantro and thinly sliced red onion.
28 Comments
I’m pretty sure I have everything to make these beauties!
So simple but really tasty!
I love everything about these tacos, Kelley! What a great summer meal.
Thanks Cassie, we’ve been eating them once a week!
Taco Tuesday! YES! I love that and I love these tacos! Must make!
I love tacos so much I thought this would be a fun idea. Glad you thinks so too!
I think I could eat tacos every day. I especially love blue corn tortillas filled with veggies and salsa!
I love blue corn tortillas as well but they seem to be so much harder to find!
OH HAAAAIL YES.
I am all about the tacos this summer and what a beautiful option this is!! Super love!
Thanks for the kind comment!
Yay for Taco Tuesday!! So glad you’re doing it. And what a great start! Love the idea of these. I once did grilled veggie tacos, which was nothing fancy, but seriously the best tacos I’ve ever had!
The simplest recipes are often the best!
What a great way to use squash in a different way. The colors are beautiful!
Yay for Taco Tuesday! We love Tacos but I’ve actually never made them with squash. I’ve got some sitting on my counter ready to use though!
ps, I love your pin it button!
Thanks Kristy. The pin it feature is some sort of plug in.. though I’m not sure which one!
EEEEEK! Kelley, you have no idea how flipping excited I am for your Taco Tuesday series. Love me some tacos!
Me too, me too!
Hooray for Taco Tuesdays…I love it!! I’ve been going crazy for summer squash lately. These need to happen in my kitchen asap.
Glad you like them- they were so good for how simple they are!
Well, you can be certain that I’ll be checking back every Tuesday. We adore tacos and this one is making my mouth water.
I’d like to come up with some sort of taco using all the excess kale you have!
I think I’d be grilling up some extra veggies for a breakfast edition taco with eggs. Yum. How about a few ideas for breakfast? Love the new series and the photos are killing it. Now where’s that charred corn?
Breakfast tacos coming your way… with charred corn and all 🙂
You know I’m on board with a series called ‘Taco Tuesday’! And this version looks just amazing! Summer squash is always great for grilling and stuffing into a tortilla…
Um, I’m very pleased with your bold taco choice. These look amazing!! Totally my kind of taco. Love this series idea, can’t wait for more!
love the idea off these tacos!! We should meet up at Windy Ridge for taco Tuesday sometime or just come to your kitchen!!
I’d love that! We should get together soon. It’s been too long!