I am not a good multi-tasker. Which is strange, because I used to be really good at it. Before I had kids, when I was working in the corporate world, I prided myself on the fact that I could juggle 10 things at once. But these days? Not so much. Especially when it comes to dinner time. I’m good at getting the main dish on the table, but side dishes? That is where I normally fail. It’s not that we don’t like our side dishes. But making both dinner and sides at the same time – and planning everything so that it all finishes around the same time so there is hot food on the table – is really difficult for me. Which is why it’s pretty rare to see a side dish on our table.
A couple of weeks ago, though, I had a brilliant idea. What if you could start your side dish earlier, and all you had to do was serve it up when dinner time came? And the answer to my problem came to me – the slow cooker!! By starting your side dish a couple of hours earlier, all you have to worry about is making the main dish, and when it’s time for dinner, the side dish is already done and piping hot. And that is when this dish was born.
This recipe actually killed two birds with one stone. Not only did it help with my whole side dish ordeal, but it also helped to clear out all kinds of garden produce. This succotash is full of tons of veggies – all that are being harvested right now. And the beauty of it is that you can really throw in whatever veggies you have on hand! And the creamy finish of sour cream and cream cheese at the end makes it so that everyone wants to load their plate up. This – to me – is the perfect way to clean out the veggie drawer!!
Creamy Summer Vegetable Succotash
Ingredients
- 2 cups diced zucchini
- 2 cups diced yellow summer squash
- 2 cups fresh corn kernels
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/4 cup water
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 ounces sour cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese
Instructions
- Combine the zucchini, squash, corn, bell pepper, onion, water and salt and pepper into a slow cooker.
- Cook on high for 2 1/2 - 3 hours, or until the vegetables are all tender.
- Turn the slow cooker to low and add the sour cream and cream cheese. Cook an additional 30 minutes or until the cream cheese is melted.
Kenny T says
Love this recipe! Had one comment/question though – the directions mention onion, but onion is not on the list of ingredients. How much onion do you recommend?
Deborah says
Hi Kenny, thanks for catching that! The recipe card has been updated. I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
grace says
thufferin’ thuccotath! i’m so glad mayo isn’t involved here–it would ruin an amazing creation!
kankana says
In most Indian houses you will see at least 3 to 4 side dishes and I have no clue how the wives manages all these. I am luck that my husband doesn’t like too many sides and sometime he doesn’t like any at all 🙂 This would be a dish to try before summer goes away.
Janey says
Oh wow, I have all of those ingredients. You just planned dinner for me! Thanks!
Kristy says
What a great idea! And the clean-up is relatively easy too! I’m with you…I don’t know where my multi-tasking skills went after I had kids. I’d sure like to find them again. LOL.
Joanne says
I usually fail with side dishes as well…I just incorporate everything into one! But the slow cooker is a great idea for coordinating. This succotash looks delicious and super veggie-full!
Ann says
I love using my slow cooker, but I never thought to use it for a side-dish. This is amazing! Thanks!
Betty says
I really need to pull out my slow cooker- I don’t use it nearly enough. This veggie dish looks great, and I think I have all of the ingredients. 🙂
Katrina says
Looove this! Using the slow cooker is always a good idea for sides. Yum!
vianney/sweet life says
creamy succotash..what a drem side dish!! love the recipe layout, too cute!!
natalie (the sweets life) says
I don’t use my slow cooker enough! This looks fabulous!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
What a delicious, healthy end of summer dish, Deborah! Your photos are lovely, too. Thanks for sharing and inspiring me with something new… I’ve never made a succotash but definitely want to try your recipe now!
Rachel @ the Avid Appetite says
Wow, this is such a fantastic idea! I do not utilize my slow cooker nearly as much as I’d like to. Thanks for the inspiration!
Rosa says
That creamy succotash looks scrumptious and so comforting!
Cheers,
Rosa
Bev Weidner says
I could do side-strokes right through that creamy wonderland and eat my way out of it. MAMA.