googootz!!

Measuring more than 2 feet long, this summer squash - Cucuzza (really long squash in Italian), brought the expected hoots and howls when I brought it down to the beach one summer night for grilling. Memories of countless "hen's nights" came back to many of the women and the men were unapologetic in their comments, a few even making comparisons with their own..........ha!

I had never heard, nor seen this veggie before - though it brings back many memories for those of Italian decent. A friend fondly remembered his childhood, running in for fried "goo-gootz" and eggplant sandwiches. No matter what he and his friends were doing outside, once the call came from his mother, they dropped whatever it was they were doing and rushed to the kitchen.

Fried, sauteed, stewed or stuffed - this one can be done in many ways. Since we were down at the beach, we simply brushed it with olive oil and put it on the grill. The flavor was subtly sweet. I do wish we didn't cook the whole thing that night, because I would love to have tried some other dishes.

Aw, goo-gootz!!!