Grilled Personal Pattypan Pizza – If you think summer squash can’t be wild and crazy, think again! These delicious little pizzas will have you saying “More pattypan, please!”
I believe in the sanctity of mealtime, and my husband and I typically run one of those households where we eat a nice dinner around the kitchen table each night and we expect everyone to share something about their day. It’s very Leave it to Beaver and it brings our family closer.
One night a week, however, we ditch our 1950’s paradise, partly out necessity because of my work schedule, and partly for the fun of it!
Friday nights have come to be affectionately called “Fun Friday,” and we totally eat dinner in front of the TV. It’s kind of a big deal for our little 4 year old, who thinks that he doesn’t get to watch enough television.
Lately, my son has been into nature documentaries, but when that gets a little too gruesome (or embarrassing) for dinner time, we put on old episodes of Shaun the Sheep and crack up over the antics of claymation sheep and their hapless farmer. Yeah, once you have kids, Friday nights really become wild…
My husband, being the helpful and supportive guy he is, started taking charge of Friday night dinner. As you may have noticed from his Strawberry Basil Champagne Cocktail, or from his Sour Cherry Absinthe Cocktail, he has established himself as the mixologist in our household (he’s in the kitchen experimenting with an apricot drink as I write this).
The thing is, when it comes to everyday cooking, I think my husband lacks enthusiasm for the task, so he’s happy to make (or go purchase) simple things like pizza.
The one exception is cooking on the grill. Perhaps it has something to do with fire, but nonetheless, this recipe for Grilled Personal Pattypan Pizza was inspired by my husband’s awesomeness at grilling and making pizza happen!
If you’re not sure what a pattypan is, it’s this…
It’s an adorable little summer squash that you can hold in one hand. They come in green, yellow, and white varieties. I selected white because it looks the most like a pizza crust!
Pattypan pizzas are really quite simple. All you need is some traditional pizza ingredients and a grill. The great thing is that using squash as the crust cuts out carbs and adds a little extra nutrition to what is traditionally a bit junk-foody.
Because of the high moisture content of squash, grilling this recipe is part of what really makes it work, allowing air to get under the squash as it cooks and preventing sogginess. Not to mention, it adds an amazing grilled flavor!
The result is some awesome ewwy, gooey, Friday night goodness…
The cute little slices of pattypan pizza are perfect for little hands!
- 3 medium pattypan squash (about 2 lbs)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 C organic pizza sauce
- 1½ C shredded low moisture mozzarella cheese
- 1 C shredded parmesan cheese
- ¼ C uncured pepperoni cut into quarters (optional, omit for vegetarian dish)
- 2 Tbsp roughly chopped basil
- Preheat and clean your grill.
- While the grill is heating prep all of your ingredients. For the pattypan squash, cut it into ¼ inch thick slices and lightly brush them with olive oil on both sides. For the pizza sauce I selected the pastiest sauce available to prevent my pizza toppings from sliding around while they are on the grill. Otherwise, your prep is very similar to making traditional pizza.
- Place the squash slices on the grill over direct high heat (450º-550º F) and grill for 4-5 minutes, with the lid closed as much as possible. You'll want to get some nice grill marks on the squash before turning, so don't move them at all.
- Once they are sufficiently grilled on the bottom, flip the slices over and top each slice with a layer of sauce, parmesan, mozzarella, and pepperoni. Continue cooking with the lid closed for about 4 minutes or until the cheese is melted and just starting to bubble.
- Carefully remove the pattypan pizzas from the grill using a large spatula. Allow them to sit for 5 minutes and then sprinkle with fresh basil before serving.
More summer squash recipes…
Stuffed Pattypan Squash
Warm Summer Garden Salad with Salmon
Pesto Orzo Stuffed Squash Bowls
Too cute! I grew those last year, but we were traveling this year at planting time. Must look in the market for these. Great post!
Thanks Elaine! I’ve been seeing a lot of pattypans at the farmer’s market in the Philadelphia area. I hope you’re able to get your hands on some this season. The unusual vegetables are so much more fun to eat!
What a great recipe. I always see pattypan at the farmer’s market, but pass them by because I can never figure out what I would do with a flat squash. LOL
You’ll have to give them a try Becca! In addition to this recipe, they’re perfect for stuffing, and they taste just like other summer squashes, so they’re good in sautes and such.
I think them cute too. And really original, I haven’t seen a similar recipe before. And regarding dinner time, we are quite the same, I find it very very important that we all sit at the table together every evening, with some exceptions during the weekend (when we all eat lunch together, so dinner doesn’t count so much anymore). For once in a while we watch a children film on DVD on a Friday evening and eat homemade pizza or something that the children really love. They are so happy when they know that’s coming…
Adina, they are such cute little squashes and it sounds like you have such a sweet family!
I love this idea! What a creative use for squash! I’m always looking for alternative “crust” recipes for pizza and this is a must-try.
Thanks Faith! I found this a little easier than a cauliflower crust because there’s less prep work involved!
Those look so good! And so easy! Perfect for summer.
How adorable– your Friday Fun Nights. My husband and I are having our first baby in eek- 4 weeks! We have been talking a lot about traditions we’d like to have as a family, and eating at the table every night- and having a fun Friday night, something out of the ordinary, are two things we’ve talked about. Kids love those routines, and something to look forward to. And Friday night at home with the hubby and baby? Sounds like my kind of Friday night! I think I was made for motherhood– haha.
Michelle- Congratulations about becoming a new Mommy! 4 weeks… if you’re anything like I was at that time you’re starting to get really excited to meet your little one! Our family has a lot of silly traditions, which I find really bring us together. I think my husband and I look forward to them as much as my son does!
Oh wow! I love your personal patty pan pizza. I bought a couple mini pans over the weekend and they will be perfect for your recipe.
I love pattypans! If you end up making the pizzas, let me know how they turn out! If you’re not in the mood for pizza, I also have a recipe for Stuffed Pattypan Squash.
This looks so much easier than a cauliflower crust. I’ll be picking up some pattypan squash at the farmers’ market this weekend!
It is easier! Cauliflower crust is still delicious, but it’s fun to switch things up!
Of course I’m going to try any anf every type of pizza recipe! These look amazing. I actually saw those pattypans at the farmer’s market the other day and had no idea what they were or how to cook them – wish I would have gotten them now! These will definitely be tried by the end of the summer!
That’s so awesome! I’d love to hear how they turn out!
These are great, such a wonderful idea. I wish our household was more Leave it to Beaver, we are more Friday fun day most days (sigh).
Sara, I wouldn’t eat self up about it too much! I’m sure your family has their own way of spending time together!
This is such a great idea. I remember as kids going to Pizza Hut and getting personal pan pizzas so I love this healthy alternative especially for kids! Can you find the squash in any grocery store?
Thanks Patricia! This recipe has been kid tested and approved. Pattypan squash falls more into the farmer’s market category. I’ve seen it on occasion at the grocery store and it seems like something Trader Joe’s might carry in season. If you can’t find pattypan squash this recipe would also work really well with yellow summer squash, your just won’t get the fun, round shape.
Any tried and true ways of doing this not on a grill? It’s 100+ degrees most days lately here in Texas and we’re nowhere near firing up the grill at the moment….eek!