The Letter Y

It is time to explore another letter of the alphabet.

When I first started this blog, I was unsure how I would choose the letters I would represent. Today, I think I have decided to work the alphabet backwards.

So here we go:

Z Y X W V U T S R Q P O N M L K J I H G F E D C B A

The letter of the month is Y.

Y, you ask? Because it precedes the Z we talked about in June ;)

Given that it is almost lunchtime (11:40AM EST as I write), I think I will start with something edible.

There are several foods starting with the letter Y that come to mind (but the list is not complete, I am sure): Yellow squash, Yellow bell pepper, Yogurt, Yorkshire pudding, Yams, and Yolks.

I looked for a summer recipe and this is what I found:

Yellow Squash Casserole from Epicurious
Can be prepared in 35 to 40 minutes plus 5 minutes to cool

Yield: 8/10 servings

Ingredients:

6 Tbsp. unsalted butter, divided, plus more for greasing dish

3 lb. yellow summer squash (5–6 medium), sliced crosswise ¼" thick

3½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or 1¾ tsp. Morton kosher salt, divided

1 medium onion, finely chopped

¾ cup heavy cream

½ cup sour cream

4 oz. sharp white cheddar, grated (about 1 cup)

1 oz. Parmesan, finely grated (about ⅔ cup), divided

1 Tbsp. thyme leaves, plus more for serving

½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 sleeve Ritz crackers or other buttery crackers (about 32)

Zest of 1 lemon

Directions:

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375°. Grease a 13x9" baking dish with unsalted butter. Melt 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in 2 batches and adding 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter between batches, cook 3 lb. yellow summer squash, sliced crosswise ¼" thick, tossing often, until softened and golden brown, 8–10 minutes. Season each batch with 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt and transfer to a large bowl.

Step 2

Melt 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter in same skillet. Add 1 medium onion, finely chopped, and ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt. Cook, stirring often, until onion is softened and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and pour in ¾ cup heavy cream; stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer, then remove from heat and stir in ½ cup sour cream and ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt.

Step 3

Add mixture to bowl with squash, then add 4 oz. sharp white cheddar, grated (about 1 cup), ⅓ cup finely grated Parmesan, 1 Tbsp. thyme leaves, and ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper; stir gently to combine. Transfer to prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer. Wipe and reserve skillet.

Step 4

Using your hands, crush 1 sleeve Ritz crackers or other buttery crackers into coarse crumbs in a medium bowl. Melt remaining 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter in reserved skillet over medium heat. Stir in remaining ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt until dissolved, then pour over cracker crumbs. Sprinkle remaining ⅓ cup finely grated Parmesan over and toss to combine. Scatter cracker mixture evenly over casserole. 

Step 5

Bake casserole until golden brown on top and bubbling, 35–40 minutes. Top with zest of 1 lemon and more thyme leaves. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

Let’s look at a fun activity.

If the children already know how to write, have them write as many words starting with Y as they can think about. The child with the most words wins.

You can also choose as many categories as they want and list as many items per category as they can. Just make sure that all items start with the letter Y. Some of the generic categories you can use are: people, places, names, and things. Some of the more specific categories you might choose are: actors/actresses, cities, countries, first names, last names, things in the house (or even more specific, a certain room in the house), etc.

If the children do not know how to write yet, take them to the park or for a walk downtown and have them list as many yellow things as they see.

Ready for a craft or two?

How about using some Yarn to create a craft? Any yarn will do, but if you have some Yellow Yarn it may be even more fun.

There are a few activities that make use of yarn.

Needle Free Sewing

For these craft activities you will need:

• Cardboard
• Yarn
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Hole-Puncher

Trace the letter Y on the cardboard; with the hole-puncher, punch holes (about 1” apart) along the lines. Have the children trace the Y by threading the yard through the holes. Secure the ends with a knot.

If the children are very coordinated, have them cut the Y and cover it with yarn by looping it around the letter.

Glue It

For this activity, use the glue instead of the hole-puncher (listed above). The rest of the materials are the same.

Trace the letter Y, as above. Once done, the children can choose to trace the Y with the yarn or they can fill in the letter with the yarn.

• Tracing with Yarn: let the children contour the Y with the glue and then carefully place the yarn on the glue.
• Filling with Yarn: let the children spread glue inside the Y and then cover it with yarn (which can be cut in small pieces or “weaved” on the glue in one single strand).

Now, some fun facts about Yawning, courtesy of The Fun Times Guide (and, as you read, you can make it a game to see who will last longer without yawning, or who yawns the longest!)

• Yawning starts even before we come into this world
• Yawning is contagious (but I think you may have already figured this out)
• Animals yawn when they see other animals yawn

These are just a few of their fun facts. Do visit the website for pictures, sounds, and even more fun facts. Just make sure you do so right before bedtime!

Good night everyone.