patty pan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-FrequencyCulinary/Trade (for pan), Horticultural/Culinary (for squash)
Quick answer
What does “patty pan” mean?
A small, shallow, usually scalloped-edged baking pan used primarily for making individual pies, tarts, or cupcakes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, shallow, usually scalloped-edged baking pan used primarily for making individual pies, tarts, or cupcakes.
A variety of summer squash (pattypan squash) that is round, flat, and scalloped in shape, resembling the baking pan. In Australian usage, it can also refer to a frying pan used for cooking patties.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the term is rarely used. For the squash, terms like 'patty pan squash' or 'custard marrow' may be used. The pan is more likely called a 'tartlet tin' or 'bun tin'. In the US, both 'patty pan' (for the squash) and 'patty pan'/'muffin pan' (for the tin) are understood, though not highly common.
Connotations
In both, the term has a somewhat old-fashioned or specialist feel. In the US, it may evoke home gardening or farmers' markets for the squash, and vintage or artisanal baking for the pan.
Frequency
Low frequency in both varieties, but higher in US English due to the common naming of the squash variety.
Grammar
How to Use “patty pan” in a Sentence
bake [something] in a patty pangrow [patty pan squash]slice the patty panprepare a patty pan by greasing itVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “patty pan” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She carefully patty-panned the minced meat into small rounds for the party.
American English
- The recipe says to patty pan the dough into the scalloped cups.
adjective
British English
- The patty-pan moulds were all lined up ready for the Victoria sponge mixture.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in kitchenware manufacturing or agricultural seed/ produce sales.
Academic
Very rare outside of specific historical, culinary, or horticultural texts.
Everyday
Low. Used by home bakers and gardeners. Requires explanation for many listeners.
Technical
Used in horticulture (plant variety classification) and in professional baking/patisserie (specific tool).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “patty pan”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “patty pan”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “patty pan”
- Using 'patty pan' to refer to a general frying pan for burgers (though used in Australian English).
- Assuming it's a brand name rather than a type of object.
- Confusing the squash with a zucchini/courgette.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In contemporary US English, it is arguably more common as the name for the squash ('pattypan squash'), as the pan is often referred to by more generic terms like 'muffin tin'. Both senses are low-frequency.
Often, yes, if the recipe is for individual baked items. However, a true patty pan often has shallower, wider, and scalloped wells, giving a different shape and edge to pastries like tartlets.
It can be sliced and sautéed, roasted, grilled, or stuffed and baked. Young, small pattypans are tender and can be cooked whole. They have a mild, slightly nutty flavour similar to other summer squashes.
It is found as both 'patty pan' and 'pattypan', especially for the squash. 'Pattypan' (one word) is a standardised spelling for the squash variety. For the pan, it is more often two words.
A small, shallow, usually scalloped-edged baking pan used primarily for making individual pies, tarts, or cupcakes.
Patty pan is usually culinary/trade (for pan), horticultural/culinary (for squash) in register.
Patty pan: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpæti pæn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpædi pæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated. Potential creative use: 'He's shaped like a patty pan' meaning short and round.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a fairy-tale character named Patty putting her hat (which is shaped like a scalloped pan) on a round, flat squash to remember the two meanings: Patty's pan.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER/SHAPE AS NAME-GIVER (The pan gives its name to the vegetable based on shared visual form).
Practice
Quiz
In a gardening context, what is a 'patty pan' most likely to be?