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Pickled Squash

Pickled Squash has a fresh texture and a spicy kick. The refrigerator pickles come together in just a few minutes, with no special canning equipment needed!

Pickled Squash in a large mason jar

My Favorite Pickled Squash Recipe!

To say that I am smitten with this recipe for Pickled Squash would be an understatement.

I love everything about it.

First of all, it is so easy to prepare these fun little slices.

And second, they have a wonderful fresh texture and flavor, with a bonus spicy kick.

I’ve added this recipe to my annual summer recipe roster. It’s an awesome way to enjoy the fresh bounty of summer squash, in a whole new spunky kind of way. Grab this recipe and get started!

Here are a few more quick and easy refrigerator pickles recipes I’m loving right now: This mixture of Pickled Vegetables is definitely a favorite of mine. I am rarely without a jar of these Pickled Red Onions in the fridge. And these Refrigerator Sweet Pickles – a MUST for my Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes!

Smitten with Squash by Amanda Paa

Do you know Amanda Paa from Heartbeet Kitchen? She is a friend of mine from here in Minnesota, known for her gluten-free cooking and baking. She is a bubbly, sweet person with a signature beaming smile and tinkly laughter.

If you like squash, I recommend you check out Amanda’s book Smitten with Squash.

In between its covers, Amanda shares her passion for cooking with fresh ingredients, and specifically with her beloved squash. Amanda’s sunny manner shines through on every page.

Along with a host of wonderful recipes, Amanda includes a bit of history from the Cucurbit (my new favorite word!) plant family of hundreds of varieties of squash and helpful kitchen tips. All of the recipes include both regular and gluten-free instructions.

Pickled Squash and fresh squash

How to make pickled squash

I had never pickled squash before.

When I opened my copy of Smitten with Squash for the first time, I went straight to the section on summer squash because “tis the season”. It didn’t take me long to flag half a dozen recipes to try.

First up was this refrigerator pickle recipe for spicy squash pickles.

This recipe is SO EASY to make. I like to use this mandoline, for quick and uniform slices. A simple brine is heated on the stove top and then poured over the yellow squash and zucchini slices. And that. is. all. REALLY! It’s that easy.

Pickled Squash

Refrigerator pickles are a fresh treat

This refrigerator pickle recipe turned out to be such a treat! If you’re looking for a super easy recipe to add a little fun to your next summer spread, definitely give this pickled zucchini recipe a try.

Blake doesn’t really care for all my pickling experiments, and I’m ok with that. But it was fun to come across a recipe that he actually dug into the jar for more than the required I-tasted-it-so-now-leave-me-alone taste test. He liked these squash pickles a whole lot. I see a few more jars in our future before summer ends.

Here are a few more easy pickle recipes I’d like to try: These Pickled Green Tomatoes from Mama Loves Food sound awesome. And Spicy Dill Refrigerator Pickles from All Day I Dream About Food and Easy Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles from That Skinny Chick Can Bake look worthy of my pickle-dreams-come-true!

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Recipe card photo for pickled squash.

Pickled Squash

Yield: 24 servings
prep time: 20 minutes
cook time: 5 minutes
total time: 25 minutes
This sweet-and-savory pickled squash recipe with red pepper flakes, cilantro, and sweet onions is an easy homemade condiment. 
4.4 Stars (170 Reviews)
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Ingredients

  • 9 sprigs fresh cilantro
  • 3 large cloves garlic halved
  • 3 tsp. mixed peppercorns
  • 1-1/2 tsp. coriander seeds
  • 3 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1-1/2 lbs. yellow squash and zucchini sliced into thin rounds.
  • c. thinly sliced sweet onion
  • 1-1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
  • 1-1/4 c. water
  • 2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 2-1/2 T. honey

Instructions

  • In a large glass jar or bowl that holds about 2 quarts, add the cilantro, garlic, peppercorns, coriander, red pepper flakes, zucchini, and onion. Set aside.
  • In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, bring vinegar, water, salt, and honey to a boil. Pour hot mixture over contents in the jar, pressing down on the vegetables so that brine covers them completely. Let cool on the counter to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or 2 days for maximum flavor.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 Calories: 36kcal Carbohydrates: 9g Protein: 1g Sodium: 199mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 7g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated by Spoonacular. I am not a nutritionist and cannot guarantee accuracy. If your health depends on nutrition information, please calculate again with your own favorite calculator.
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment below. And share a photo on Instagram with the hashtag #afarmgirlsdabbles or tag @farmgirlsdabble!

(This post was originally published in 2014, and remains one of my favorite quick pickled recipes. I updated some of the photos and text in 2018.)

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59 comments on “Pickled Squash”

  1. Charlotte Nelson

    5 stars
    After planting way more squash plants than needed, I am so glad to have found your recipe. The whole family loves these, even my picky daughter. Thanks for a keeper!

  2. My very kind neighbor brought a few squash to my home to share. I told him that I was so grateful even though I am not a squash eater. I had a bad experience as a child and have hated it since. Well, I searched out this recipe and thought I would be brave. After 2 days, I pulled one out and gave it a try – not expecting to like the experiment. Well, to my surprise, it was incredible. If my eyes were closed, I would have thought it was a pickle. I have since added them to salads, had as a side dish, and even sneak one occasionally all by itself. Thank you for giving me the ability to eat squash as well as not wasting such a great gift.

  3. Has anyone tried canning these? They are so remarkably yummy but with the number of yellow squash I have at my disposal, I would like to can some and give them out as gifts. TIA for your feedback!

  4. I finally made these pickles- I’ve never made pickles before, these were the perfect “gateway” pickle, highly addictive, perfect as a side dish with a rich meal. Can’t say enough good things about this recipe!