**An Enchanting Culinary Journey: Exploring the Delights of Calabacitas**
Embark on a culinary adventure with the vibrant and flavorful dish of calabacitas, a traditional Mexican vegetable stew that captivates the senses with its colorful ingredients and tantalizing aromas. Originating from the vibrant region of Puebla, Mexico, calabacitas is a symphony of fresh vegetables, tender squash, sweet corn, and aromatic spices, simmered together in a rich tomato broth. This delectable dish holds a special place in Mexican cuisine, often served as a comforting side or a hearty main course, accompanied by warm tortillas, rice, or crusty bread. As you delve into the depths of this culinary treasure, discover a symphony of flavors and textures, ranging from the sweet crunch of corn to the soft tenderness of squash, all harmoniously blended in a savory and satisfying embrace. Explore the diverse collection of calabacitas recipes presented in this article, each offering unique variations on this beloved Mexican classic. Whether you prefer a traditional preparation or a contemporary twist, let your taste buds embark on an unforgettable journey with calabacitas.
CALABACITAS SOUP
It's easy to turn Calabacitas into a lip-smacking soup! Try to use some stock that you trust as it can make a huge difference -- I used homemade veggie stock for this batch.
Provided by Mexican Please
Categories Soup
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Give the tomatoes a good rinse and roast them in the oven at 400F for 20 minutes or so. I usually de-stem them knowing that any juices leftover in the roasting pan will go in the blender.
- Saute a roughly chopped onion and 3 whole, peeled garlic cloves in a glug of oil over medium heat. When the onion starts to turn brown (approx. 6-8 minutes) add the mixture to a blender or food processor along with the roasted tomatoes and 1/4 or 1/2 of the jalapeno. Combine well and taste for heat, adding more jalapeno for more heat. I like this dish best with only mild heat so I used only 1/2 of the jalapeno.
- Finely chop 1/2 onion and get it cooking in some oil over medium heat.
- As the onion cooks you can prep the zucchini. Give the zucchinis a good rinse and cut them up into 1/4" sized pieces -- be sure to cut off the ends and discard.
- When the onion starts to brown add two minced garlic cloves and cook for 30-60 seconds. Add the chopped zucchini to the onion-garlic mixture in the pan, along with 1 teaspoon salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano. Stir well and let it saute briefly.
- Add the tomato mixture from the blender to the pan. I usually let this cook for a couple minutes, then adding in 5 cups of stock along with 2 cups of corn. Note: I used a single can of corn, drained and rinsed, but if using fresh corn you can add it in when you add the zucchini.
- Bring this up to a simmer and take a final taste for seasoning. I added another generous pinch of salt to this batch, so that is close to 1.5 teaspoons total for this batch, but keep in mind this will vary based on which stock you're using.
- Serve immediately with your choice of fixings. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 103 kcal, Carbohydrate 22 g, Protein 4 g, Fat 1 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 1184 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 9 g, ServingSize 1 serving
CALABACITAS
This vegetarian Calabacitas recipe is perfect for any stubborn carnivores out there! Loads of flavor made with healthy, fresh ingredients -- yum!!
Provided by Mexican Please
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 12
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 118 kcal, Carbohydrate 25 g, Protein 5 g, Fat 1 g, Sodium 606 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 9 g, ServingSize 1 serving
CALABACITAS
Zucchini, bell pepper, onion, and corn are lightly pan-fried in olive oil and butter and topped with Monterey Jack cheese for a delightful side dish in this recipe.
Provided by A. P. Newman
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Squash Zucchini
Time 40m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 11
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 147.9 calories, Carbohydrate 9.6 g, Cholesterol 18.4 mg, Fat 11.1 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 4.3 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 172.3 mg, Sugar 2.4 g
CALABACITAS
This Calabacitas recipe is a beloved Mexican vegetable dish made from sauteed zucchini and squash, corn, onions, peppers, tomatoes and cheese.
Provided by Isabel Eats
Categories Side
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add onions, poblanos, and jalapenos. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.
- Add corn and tomatoes. Cook for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add zucchini, yellow squash, garlic, salt, black pepper, oregano and ground cumin. Stir to combine and cook for 5 minutes, stirring every minute or so.
- Add water to skillet, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Uncover the skillet, add the shredded cheese and milk, and stir together until the cheese has fully melted.
- Remove from heat, garnish with chopped cilantro and cotija cheese, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 /6th of recipe, Calories 149 kcal, Carbohydrate 17 g, Protein 6 g, Fat 7 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 11 mg, Sodium 962 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 5 g
Tips:
- Choose fresh, tender zucchini. Look for zucchini that is deep green in color and has smooth, unblemished skin. Avoid zucchini that is yellow or has blemishes, as this indicates that it is old or has been damaged.
- Slice the zucchini thinly. This will help it cook evenly and quickly.
- Use a large skillet or griddle. This will give the zucchini plenty of room to cook without overcrowding.
- Heat the oil or butter over medium heat. This will help prevent the zucchini from sticking to the pan.
- Cook the zucchini in batches, if necessary. Do not overcrowd the pan, or the zucchini will not cook evenly.
- Stir the zucchini frequently. This will help it cook evenly and prevent it from burning.
- Season the zucchini with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other spices, such as garlic powder, onion powder, or chili powder.
- Serve the zucchini immediately. It is best when served hot and fresh.
Conclusion:
Zucchini is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These recipes provide a delicious and healthy way to enjoy zucchini. Whether you are looking for a simple side dish or a main course, you are sure to find a recipe in this article that you will enjoy.
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