Southwest Zucchini Skillet Recipes

SOUTHWESTERN VEGGIE SKILLET

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook and stir onion in hot oil until tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir zucchini and yellow squash into onion; cook until slightly tender, about 3 minutes. Add corn; cook for 1 minute.
• Stir tomatoes and garlic into onion mixture; cook and stir until heated through, about 3 minutes. Season with cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook to desired doneness, 5 to 10 more minutes. Sprinkle in cilantro; stir until wilted. Remove from heat and squeeze lime over mixture.

SOUTHWESTERN SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Remove beef and set aside. In the same skillet, combine the water, tomato sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin and salt; bring to a boil. Stir in spaghetti; return to a boil. , Boil for 6 minutes., Add the zucchini. Cook 4-5 minutes longer or until spaghetti and zucchini are tender, stirring several times. Stir in beef and heat through. Sprinkle with cheese.

SOUTHWESTERN STIR-FRIED ZUCCHINI RINEHART

Steps:

• Roast and peel poblanos and bell pepper . Mince garlic cloves and cut zucchini into 2-inch-long spears. Chop cilantro. Cut poblanos and bell pepper into 2- by 1/4-inch strips.
• Heat a dry small skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and toast cumin seeds, stirring constantly, until fragrant and several shades darker, being careful not to burn them. With a mortar and pestle coarsely grind cumin seeds.
• In a 12-inch skillet heat oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook garlic, stirring, until softened, about a few seconds. Add zucchini and sauté over moderately high heat, stirring constantly, 2 minutes. Add poblano and bell pepper strips and cumin and cook, stirring constantly, until zucchini is crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Add lime or lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve zucchini sprinkled with cilantro.

SOUTHWESTERN-STYLE PASTA SKILLET

Steps:

• Prepare macaroni as label directs but do not add salt to water; drain and keep warm.
• Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausage, green pepper, and onion, stirring frequently until vegetables are tender; discard any fat in skillet.
• Stir in zucchini, stewed tomatoes, corn, and chilies with their liquid; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cook 10 minutes to blend flavors.
• Stir macaroni into mixture in skillet; sprinkle with shredded cheese.

SOUTHWEST ZUCCHINI BOATS

Steps:

• Cut zucchini in half lengthwise; cut a thin slice from the bottom of each with a sharp knife to allow zucchini to sit flat.
• Scoop out pulp, leaving 1/4-inch shells.
• Place shells in an ungreased 3-quart microwave-safe dish.
• Cover and microwave on high for 3 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.
• Remove from the heat; stir in the salsa, bread crumbs, cilantro, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper and 1/2 cup cheese.
• Spoon into zucchini shells.
• Microwave, uncovered, on high for 4 minutes.
• Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Microwave 3-4 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and zucchini are tender.
• Serve with sour cream, if desired.