Creamy Calabacitas Recipes

CALABACITAS

Steps:

• Give the tomatoes a good rinse and let them roast in a 400F oven for 20 minutes or until you need them. I usually de-stem the tomatoes knowing that any juices leftover in the roasting pan will be used.
• Finely chop a small onion and get it cooking in some oil over medium heat. Let it cook until it's starting to brown, approx. 7-10 minutes. Add three minced garlic cloves and cook for 30-60 seconds.
• Take a couple spoonfuls of the onion-garlic mixture from the pan and add it to the blender -- this will eventually be combined with the roasted tomatoes.
• Give the zucchinis a good rinse and cut them up into 1/4" sized pieces -- be sure to cut off the ends of the zucchinis and discard. Add the chopped zucchini to the onion-garlic mixture in the pan, along with 3/4 teaspoon salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano. Stir well and let it saute for a couple minutes as you put the tomato mixture together.
• Rinse the jalapeno and chop it up into quarters, discarding the stem. Add the roasted tomatoes to the blender along with 1/4 of the jalapeno. (There should also be a couple spoonfuls of the onion-garlic mixture in the blender.) Combine well and take a taste. Add additional slivers of the jalapeno until the heat tastes right to you. I used a larger jalapeno for this batch and only needed about half of it.
• Add the tomato mixture back to the saucepan and let the zucchini simmer in it for a couple more minutes or until the zucchini is tender but still a little firm -- this batch cooked for a total of 7-8 minutes. If using canned corn you can add it in now as it doesn't need much time to heat up. If using fresh corn kernels you can add them in when you add the zucchini. (I usually drain and rinse canned corn but this is optional.)
• Take a final taste for seasoning. I added another generous pinch of salt to this batch.
• Serve immediately with your choice of garnish. Cotija cheese and freshly chopped cilantro are good options.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge where they will keep for a few days.

CREAMY CALABACITAS

Steps:

• In large fry pan, heat olive oil. Sauté onion & garlic a few minutes.
• Add bell peppers, corn, chilies & jalapeno. Cook a few minutes more.
• Add squash, tomatoes & water. Bring to boil, then turn heat down.
• Cook until all veggies tender, at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add a little more water if needed, so slightly soupy.
• Add salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste.
• Remove from heat. Stir in cheese.
• Adjust seasonings as needed. Serve with warm tortillas.

CALABACITA CUPS

Steps:

• Cut the zucchini into 1-inch sections, hollow inside using a melon baller or teaspoon leaving 1/4 inch on bottom, set aside.
• In a saute pan heat 3 teaspoons of the olive oil and heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent. Add chopped garlic and corn, stir, and add roasted red pepper, green chile, and chopped oregano saute until corn is fully cooked. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Fill zucchini cups. Top with queso fresca and garnish with fresh oregano.

CALABACITAS

Steps:

• Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, bell pepper, onion, and zucchini, and cook until the zucchini begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the salt, pepper, half and half, and corn. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and sprinkle Monterey Jack cheese over top. Replace the cover on the skillet and allow to sit until the cheese melts, 2 to 3 minutes.

ANNE'S CALABACITAS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion, green bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper until onion is translucent and golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Add green chiles, zucchini, yellow squash, and patty pan squash; cook and stir until softened, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Stir corn and tomato into squash mixture and simmer until liquid is reduced, about 5 minutes; season with salt, pepper, and oregano. Mix pinto beans and spinach into squash mixture and simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir cilantro, Cheddar cheese, cotija cheese, and sour cream into squash mixture.

CREAM OF ZUCCHINI SOUP (CREMA DE CALABACITAS)

Steps:

• Wash zucchini. Cut off stem ends, then cut into large pieces. Place in a saucepan. Add water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Cool zucchini in cooking liquid.
• Place zucchini, 1 cup cooking liquid and 2 Tablespoons cilantro in a blender; process until pureed.
• Heat butter in a medium saucepan. Add onion. Cook until tender but not browned. Stir in flour. Cook 1 minute. Add pureed zucchini mixture, evaporated milk and chicken broth. Stir to blend. Season with salt if needed. Stir over medium heat until soup comes to a boil.
• Serve at once or chill and serve cold. Garnish each serving with a few whole cilantro leaves.