Mexican Zucchini Yellow Squash 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.

MEXICAN ZUCCHINI & YELLOW SQUASH

Steps:

• Peel and slice all squash and put in pot put just enough water to slightly cover squash add rotel (I used mild rotel and only half a can because I have small children and didn't want it too spicy).
• add enough cilantro for your own liking sprinkle in salt and pepper to taste boil lightly until squash is tender add a couple of slices of cheese or enough to your liking heat until cheese is melted.

MEXICAN SQUASH

Steps:

• Melt butter ina large skillet.
• Add squash, onion, and garlic; saute about 8 minutes or until squash is crisp-tender.
• Stir in corn and chiles; spoon inot a 1 quart casserole.
• Top with cheese.
• Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.

MEXICAN ZUCCHINI OR YELLOW NECK SQUASH, CALABASITAS GUISADAS

Steps:

• 1. Wash and dice your squash in small pieces, heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet or sauté pan. Add the onion, garlic, peppers, cilantro, and sauté in the hot oil for about two minutes. Then add the squash and continue to sauté for about 10 minutes. Keep stirring so as to completely sauté all the squash, you may add a little more olive oil if your squash looks a little dry. Continue to sauté for 5 more minutes.
• 2. Next add the wine, oregano or epazote, cumin, garlic powder, salt and pepper and the diced tomatos. Stir well taste to see if it has enough salt. Cover lower the heat and cook for about 15 minutes more or until squash is cooked tender. Do not over cook. Serve as a side dish.
• 3. I have only used one serrano but you may add more if you like your calabasitas a little hotter.