Even if you can't indulge in deep-fried rounds or heavy-on-the-cream casseroles, you can savor fresh squash season. Here are six squash dishes from metro Atlanta restaurants for healthy eaters:
Go Vegetarian
2179 Lawrenceville Highway, Decatur. 404-481-5923. govegetarianrestaurant.com.
Go Vegetarian aims to please meat eaters who want delicious vegetarian foods. The restaurant's grilled vegetable quesadilla is a popular option. It's stuffed with grilled squash and other vegetables like mushrooms and onions and served with salsa and vegan sour cream. Melted mozzarella is the only dairy touch, adding some calcium. For an extra charge, you can add vegan grilled chicken or vegan grilled steak.
True Food Kitchen Lenox Square
3393 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta. 404-481-2980. truefoodkitchen.com.
Both gluten-free and vegetarian, True Food's spaghetti squash casserole is a favorite at dinner and lunch. It stars the spaghetti squash with supporting players fresh mozzarella, organic tomato and zucchini.
Wrecking Bar Brewpub
292 Moreland Ave., Atlanta. 404-221-2600. wreckingbarbrewpub.com.cau
The brewpub serves an inventive Vegetable Hero that's rich in taste and nutrition. A TGM Bread Cuban sesame seed roll encases grilled summer squash, mushroom a la Grecque and vine ripe tomato. Flavor accents come from heart-healthy Kalamata olive tapenade and calcium-rich shaved parmigiano reggiano. Vegans can substitute cashew cheese for an upcharge.
Rosa Mia Ristorante Italiano
11730 A Jones Bridge Road, Johns Creek. 770-772-6456. rosamiaitalian.com.
Just a slice of vegetariana specialty pizza with thin crust is a healthy once-in-a-while lunch. It combines homestyle Italian herbs and sauce and fresh zucchini and squash, red bell pepper and onion topping. The smell of garlic and fresh-baked dough turns lunch into a treat, not a sacrifice.
Kyma
3085 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta. 404-262-0702. buckheadrestaurants.com/kyma.
Stand down, deep fried zucchini. Contemporary seafood tavern Kyma offers a fritter that's tempura-fried in a healthy oil blend. No, it's not an every day go-to, but it is a sublime blend of calcium-rich Dodonis feta and fresh summer squash. The topping really sets it apart, along with adding nutrition. According to sous chef Taylor Young, the cooks infuse milk with saffron, strain the saffron and add the milk to probiotic-laden Greek yogurt. A dollop of that and the fritters are fit for any health-conscious foodie.
Agave
242 Blvd. SE, Atlanta. 404-588-0006. agaverestaurant.com.
Agave celebrates summer squash. Their simplest preparation is the grilled zucchini and squash rounds side dish seasoned with sea salt and cracked pepper. For a complete meal, the Serrano Tuna Crudo is much loved. It's a spicy seared sashimi tuna with zucchini, cucumber, avocado, coconut milk, serrano chiles and soy lime sauce. Tasty, healthy and very pretty to look at.
