Helping my dad in the garden is one of my most cherished childhood memories. As a pastor, it was important for him to get out into the community, so rather than planting vegetables in our backyard, he signed up for a plot at the city garden. Perhaps it was this small level of removal from home that made going to the garden such an exciting excursion for my sister and me.

Amy and I truly loved going to the garden with Dad and we were always anxious to lend a hand. Normally, my dad would have welcomed such enthusiastic help, but he knew what we were really after: the beans. We would make ourselves sick eating the fresh beans, often ruining our supper.

Of course, Dad also grew summer squash. And although that particular vegetable was not noteworthy to me at the time, I always think of him when I eat it now. So I had to make this today:

Grilled Maple-Glazed Summer squash.

Ingredients
2 Tbs grade B maple syrup
1 Tbs unsalted butter, melted
1 fat summer squash

Instructions
1) Slice squash into rounds about 3/4 inch thick.
2) Combine melted butter and maple syrup.
3) Bring grill temperature to medium-high.
4) Place squash on the grill and brush with the maple mixture.
5) Grill for about 45 seconds to 1 minute.
6) Flip the squash and brush top side with maple mixture.
7) Grill for about 45 seconds to 1 minute and remove squash from grill.
8 ) Season with salt and coarsely ground pepper to taste.

Special thanks to my dad for being awesome and to my best friend, Nate, for the image.