Craving a delightful and versatile dish that combines the flavors of fresh summer vegetables, creamy sauces, and spices? Look no further than Calabacitas, a beloved Mexican dish that showcases the vibrant flavors of zucchini, corn, and poblano peppers. This article presents a culinary journey through three distinct Calabacitas recipes, each offering a unique twist on this classic dish. From a traditional Mexican-style Calabacitas with its rich tomato-based sauce to a creamy and comforting Poblano Calabacitas that incorporates roasted poblano peppers, and a light and refreshing Zucchini Calabacitas that highlights the natural sweetness of zucchini, these recipes cater to a range of tastes and preferences. Whether you're seeking a hearty main course or a flavorful side dish, Calabacitas offers endless possibilities to tantalize your taste buds and bring a burst of color to your table.
Here are our top 20 tried and tested recipes!
CALABACITAS CON ELOTE (ZUCCHINI WITH CORN)
One of the most popular Mexican side dishes. It is so good, that Mexicans often double the portion and eat it as main dish with warm tortillas. This is a keeper for vegetarians and meat lovers.
Provided by gem
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Tomatoes
Time 50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place the corn in a saucepan with enough water to cover; bring to a boil. Place a cover on the saucepan, reduce heat to medium, and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir the onion and garlic in the hot oil until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Mix the zucchini and tomato into the onion and garlic; cook together 5 minutes. Stir the corn kernels into the mixture; add the poblano pepper. Season with salt and pepper; stir. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook until the zucchini is tender, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with the cotija cheese to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 120.6 calories, Carbohydrate 17.8 g, Cholesterol 5.8 mg, Fat 4.9 g, Fiber 3.5 g, Protein 4.8 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 83.2 mg, Sugar 4.8 g
'CALABACITAS GUISADA' (STEWED MEXICAN ZUCCHINI)
Mexican zucchini rounds simmered in stewed tomatoes, onions, and garlic then loaded with mild cheddar cheese. One of my favorite comfort foods from my childhood.
Provided by EnjoyMyRecipe
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Tomatoes
Time 30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat; cook the onion and garlic in the hot oil until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the zucchini slices and stewed tomatoes and stir gently. Cover and cook until the zucchini is tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat, season with salt, and add the Cheddar cheese; allow to sit until the cheese has melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 97 calories, Carbohydrate 5.8 g, Cholesterol 14.8 mg, Fat 6.6 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 4.8 g, SaturatedFat 3.3 g, Sodium 202.2 mg, Sugar 3 g
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
MEXICAN CALABACITAS
Make and share this Mexican Calabacitas recipe from Food.com.
Provided by LorenLou
Categories Corn
Time 35m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place oil and chopped garlic in a large skillet, over medium heat.
- Add zucchini and onion, cooking until onion is tender.
- Add corn and tomatoes.
- Cover skillet, and simmer over low heat 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- When mixture is well heated, add cheese, mix and serve.
CALABACITAS CON QUESO - ZUCCHINI WITH CHEESE
Zucchini, corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions smothered in melted cheese! Yumm, great side dish, for any meal I serve with Mexican food, and an old family favorite.
Provided by Jyn
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Squash Zucchini
Time 35m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a saucepan with a lid, combine zucchini, corn, onion, green pepper, tomato, and vegetable oil. Cover, and cook over medium heat until tender.
- Gently stir in the sugar; add cheese on top, but do not stir. Cover, and continue cooking until cheese is melted. Stir, and add remaining cheese; cover, and continue cooking until melted. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 539.6 calories, Carbohydrate 22.8 g, Cholesterol 101 mg, Fat 37.6 g, Fiber 3.5 g, Protein 31.6 g, SaturatedFat 22.2 g, Sodium 834.1 mg, Sugar 7.9 g
SQUASH CALABACITAS
A light lunch, or serve with cheese and tortillas. Also good as a side dish with your favorite Mexican food.
Provided by HAWAIIAN_MOMMA
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Squash Zucchini
Time 30m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring until translucent. Add zucchini and poblano pepper, and saute until soft. Stir in corn and beans, and heat through. Season with salt to taste.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 212.3 calories, Carbohydrate 36.8 g, Fat 4.6 g, Fiber 11.1 g, Protein 10.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.7 g, Sodium 818.2 mg, Sugar 6.4 g
CALABACITAS CON QUESO AND CHILE VERDE (SQUASH WITH CHEESE AND GR
Make and share this Calabacitas Con Queso and Chile Verde (Squash With Cheese and Gr recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Vicki in CT
Categories Vegetable
Time 35m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In large saute pan place butter and heat to medium high until melted and hot. Add zucchini, squash, and corn and saute for two minutes until just warmed.
- Add green chiles and stir well. Cook for five minutes.
- Place mixture in baking dish. Sprinkle with jack cheese and cheddar.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 202.1, Fat 15.2, SaturatedFat 9.3, Cholesterol 39.6, Sodium 152, Carbohydrate 14.1, Fiber 3, Sugar 5.5, Protein 5.9
CALABACITAS (SOUTHWESTERN SQUASH SAUTE)
There are as many recipes for calabacitas as there are cooks. Here's how DH and I like it. We especially enjoy this in August when zucchini and corn are fresh from the garden. It is a versatile dish - the measurements are estimated. Use whatever fresh vegetables you have on hand...red peppers, grated carrots, jalapenos, diced tomato... For example, if I'm making it for my Yankee parents I omit the poblano and cilantro, and add parsley, resulting in a mild but tasty saute of summer vegetables. Have fun experimenting and enjoy!
Provided by Acerast
Categories Corn
Time 30m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large skillet, saute onion in butter and oil over medium heat about 4 minutes.
- Add the garlic and saute about 2 minutes more.
- Stir in the diced squash and zucchini; saute until just softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the corn and poblano (or green chilies)and saute 3-5 more minutes.
- Stir in the cilantro and heat until just heated through.
- Season with salt and pepper; serve.
CALABACITAS CON ELOTE (MEXICAN-STYLE ZUCCHINI WITH CORN)
In case you haven't noticed, it's zucchini season. It's everywhere, it's cheap, and it's plentiful. My garden is overrun with zucchini, what about you? Here's an easy way to make a zesty, satisfying side dish, perfect for a festive Labor Day celebration. We had this dish frequently in the summer growing up. The joy of growing up Mexican!
Provided by Muy Bueno
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Squash Zucchini
Time 40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir onion and garlic in hot oil until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Stir zucchini and corn into the onion mixture. Cover the skillet and continue cooking until the zucchini is tender, about 10 minutes more.
- Pour buttermilk into the skillet. Season the corn mixture with salt and pepper; stir. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, and continue cooking until hot, about 5 minutes more. Sprinkle with Chihuaua cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 146.9 calories, Carbohydrate 23.4 g, Cholesterol 6.8 mg, Fat 4.6 g, Fiber 3.3 g, Protein 6.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 109.7 mg, Sugar 7.2 g
CANYON RANCH GRILLED CHICKEN ENCHILADAS AND CALABACITAS
Steps:
- For sauce, preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly coat a baking sheet with oil. Place tomatoes, onion and garlic on baking sheet. Roast 15 minutes or until onion and garlic turn golden brown. While the vegetables are roasting, start preparing the enchiladas (see below). Remove vegetables from oven. Cool. Place in a blender along with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper and puree until smooth. Set aside.
- For the enchiladas, combine paprika, cumin, and chili powder in a small bowl. Add oil and 2 tsp water and mix to form a paste. Pat all of spice paste on chicken. Grill or broil chicken 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until juices run clear when pierced with a fork. Cool and slice each breast into long strips (about 3/4 inches wide and 4 inches long). Lay tortillas on a flat surface. Place 3 chicken strips, 2 tbsp cheese, and 2 tbsp green chile on each tortilla. Roll and place in a 9" x 13" baking pan. Cover with sauce. Reduce oven heat to 350°F. Cook enchiladas 15 to 20 minutes or until sauce is bubbly.
- While the enchiladas are cooking, prepare the calabacitas. Increase oven heat to 425°F. Lightly coat a sheet pan with 1 tbsp oil. Lay zucchini and yellow squash on sheet pan and roast 5 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Lightly coat a sauté pan with 2 tsp oil. Add zucchini, squash, tomato, onion, and corn. Sauté over medium heat about 5 minutes. Add oregano, salt, and pepper. Serve with enchiladas.
CALABACITAS CASSEROLE WITH POLENTA AND CHEESE
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 35m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add remaining 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, corn, garlic and chiles. Saute 3 minutes, add zucchini and yellow squash and onions, season with salt and pepper, chili powder; cook 7 to 8 minutes. Add stewed tomatoes and heat through. Transfer to baking dish. Cut 1 tube of polenta in 1/2-inch slices lengthwise. Top vegetables with polenta and cheese. Place in hot oven to melt cheese and warm polenta, 8 to 10 minutes. Garnish with chopped scallions and cilantro or flat-leaf parsley.
ANNE'S CALABACITAS
Even kids will love this recipe. I learned it from my wonderful mother-in-law who would add or subtract different ingredients every time. This version was my favorite!
Provided by Dylan's Nana
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Squash Zucchini
Time 40m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 18
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 307.3 calories, Carbohydrate 25.5 g, Cholesterol 43.6 mg, Fat 18.1 g, Fiber 6.1 g, Protein 14.1 g, SaturatedFat 9.8 g, Sodium 921.6 mg, Sugar 5.2 g
MEXICAN QUESO-FRESCO CALABACITAS
A nice southweastern vegetable dish- tastes great with the poblano chile. Goes great with many types of mexican food.
Provided by PalatablePastime
Categories Cheese
Time 35m
Yield 4-5 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat oil or lard in skillet and cook onions until tender.
- Add garlic, zucchini, and tomato; cook until veggies are crisp-tender.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large ovenproof casserole, mix together zucchini mixture with chopped poblanos and corn; season with salt.
- Cover with shredded cheese.
- Bake at 350F for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through and cheese starts to color.
- For Vegetarian simply use the oil or a vegetable based shortening such as Crisco for the Lard.
CALABACITAS CON CHILE VERDE
A delightful New Mexican dish from the Bueno website. Love their chile products - SO wish we could get them out here!!! ** Note that the recipe calls for Bueno Brand frozen Green Chile, but Zaar did not recognize this at the time.
Provided by Mommy Diva
Categories Vegetable
Time 25m
Yield 4-5 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat oil over low heat in a non-stick skillet. Sauté onion in oil.
- Add zucchini and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add garlic to green chile and add to zucchini mixture.
- Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add corn, salt and pepper.
- Cover and cook over low heat for 8 minutes or until squash is tender.
- Enjoy! ;).
CREAM OF ZUCCHINI SOUP (CREMA DE CALABACITAS)
Posted for the Zaar World Tour-Mexico. From "Mexican Cookery" cookbook. This recipe is a tasty way to use up an over abundance of zucchini from the garden.
Provided by Bayhill
Categories Vegetable
Time 1h10m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
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.
CALABACITAS GUISADA (STEWED MEXICAN ZUCCHINI)
Steps:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat; cook the onion and garlic in the hot oil until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add the zucchini slices and stewed tomatoes and stir gently. Cover and cook until the zucchini is tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat, season with salt, and add the Cheddar cheese; allow to sit until the cheese has melted.
CALABACITAS CON LECHE (SQUASH WITH MILK)
I don't like squash, but I love this side dish! I take this to potlucks and I always gets compliments, and requests for the recipe!
Provided by Kim D.
Categories Vegetable
Time 50m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Saute squash in butter until tender.
- Reduce heat and add corn, onions, salt, pepper, and green chilies.
- Mix well and add milk.
- Simmer until well blended.
- Pour into a 1-quart casserole dish.
- Top with cheese.
- Cover and bake at 400F for 20 minutes.
CALABACITAS CHEESE SOUP
I've also prepared this in my crock pot, add everything except the Velveeta and cilantro. Cook on low for 4-5 hours adding the Velveeta and cilantro during the last 30 minutes so it has a chance to melt. You can also substitute a can of Rotel tomatoes for the stewed tomatoes if you prefer it spicy.
Provided by Donna H
Categories Chowders
Time 35m
Yield 8-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Saute onion and garlic in 1 tablespoon olive oil.
- Add oregano, chicken broth and tomatoes.
- Cover and bring to a boil.
- Stir in squash, corn and green chilies.
- Return to boil and simmer till squash is tender.
- Stir in Velveeta, salt, pepper and cilantro.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 238.8, Fat 12.7, SaturatedFat 6.6, Cholesterol 33.6, Sodium 1331.6, Carbohydrate 21.6, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 9.2, Protein 12.5
MEXICAN ZUCCHINI - CALABACITAS
Great way to eat your vegetables while enjoying the flavor of mexican food. This is a good potluck recipie.
Provided by Bella Mia
Categories Corn
Time 30m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Saute the chopped onion and chopped garlic. Add the chopped zucchini, green chilies, stewed tomatoes, corn, salt and pepper. Boil until the zucchini are fork tender. Place in 13 x 9 casserole dish. Top with grated pepper jack cheese. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Serve hot.
CALABACITAS ( ZUCCHINI SQUASH )
Make and share this Calabacitas ( Zucchini Squash ) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Donna
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 30m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Place all ingredients, except cheese, into casserole dish.
- Cover and bake untill veggies are tender, approximately.
- 20 minutes.
- (with my oven it takes alot longer) OR microwave on HIGH approximately.
- 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with cheese.
- Toss lightly and serve hot.
Tips:
- Choose fresh zucchini and squash. Look for vegetables that are firm and have a deep green color. Avoid zucchini and squash that are bruised or have blemishes.
- Slice the zucchini and squash thinly. This will help them cook evenly.
- Sauté the zucchini and squash in a little bit of oil until they are tender. You can use olive oil, vegetable oil, or butter.
- Add your desired seasonings. Some popular options include garlic, onion, chili powder, and cumin.
- Simmer the calabacitas for 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are heated through.
- Serve the calabacitas immediately. You can garnish it with sour cream, salsa, or cilantro.
Conclusion:
Calabacitas is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is also a great way to use up leftover vegetables. With its simple ingredients and easy preparation, calabacitas is a surefire hit with the whole family. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give calabacitas a try!
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