Growing up we didn’t have a lot. My mama made this regularly. It’s simple but tasty. Also taught me a thing or two about appreciation!

August 9, 2025 by admin

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### Instructions

1. **Preheat the oven** to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a small casserole dish or baking pan with butter or oil.

2. **Layer the squash**: Arrange the sliced squash (and zucchini, if using) in the dish. You can mix in the onions too if you’ve got them.

3. **Make the mix**: In a bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, salt, and pepper. Pour it evenly over the squash.

4. **Add cheese**: Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top. Mama used whatever we had—sometimes it was just a few slices torn up.

5. **Optional topping**: If you have crackers or breadcrumbs, sprinkle a handful over the cheese for a golden finish.

6. **Bake** for 30–35 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and the squash is tender.

Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. It tastes even better the next day.

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## More Than a Recipe

This dish reminds me that even the simplest meals can leave the biggest impact. It taught me to cook with what I had, to waste nothing, and to be thankful—for the food, the hands that made it, and the people I got to share it with.

It’s amazing how food carries memory, doesn’t it? Every bite of this gratin brings me back to that tiny kitchen, Mama humming while she cooked, and the warmth that filled our home even when money was tight.

So if you try this recipe, I hope it feeds more than your stomach. I hope it gives you a little taste of home, wherever that may be.

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Let me know if you’d like to pair this with a photo, a printable recipe card, or a shorter version for a social media caption!