Calabacita Food

CALABACITAS

Steps:

• Warm olive oil over medium in a large pan. Add jalapenos and shallot, and cook until starting to soften - about 5 minutes.
• Add zucchini and squash. Season with salt and pepper, and stir. Cover with a lid and cook 5 minutes, until squash is starting to soften.
• Add tomatoes and corn, and continue cooking for another 3-5 minutes or until warmed through. Serve immediately.

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.

CALABACITA CON PUERCO

Steps:

• Heat shortening in Dutch oven; fry pork cubes in batches until browned.
• Return all pork to pan.
• Place chilies and onion in food processor container and process until chopped (or chop together by hand).
• Slice garlic and place with cominos and salt in a mortar and pestle and grind together.
• (The garlic and cominos and salt can be chopped in the food processor with the chilies and onion, but grinding it gives it more flavor).
• Add all vegetables to pan with pork and cook over high heat until onion is transparent.
• Sprinkle flour over pork and vegetables and stir to combine.
• Cook a few minutes to remove the raw taste of the flour.
• Add all remaining ingredients plus about 1 tomato can of water--enough so that pork and vegetables are not quite covered with liquid.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover with a lid.
• Cook at a simmer for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally, checking periodically and adding more water if necessary.

TORTA DE CALABACITAS

Steps:

• In a heavy skillet, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Saute the onions for 5 to 6 minutes, or until softened. Add the chiles, tomatoes, and salt to the pan and increase the heat to medium-high. Continue cooking for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid has evaporated. Set aside and allow to cool completely. In a large covered vegetable steamer, steam the zucchini for 5 to 6 minutes, or until tender but. not mushy. Season to taste, then remove the steamer from the pan and let them cool completely. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and thoroughly butter a medium oven-proof casserole or souffle dish. Coat the inside of the dish with the bread crumbs. In a large mixing bowl, whip the egg whites with 1/4 teaspoon salt to stiff peaks, then add the egg yolks, beating them in well. The mixture will be frothy but stiff. Distribute a layer of zucchini slices in overlapping circles on the bottom of the casserole. Pour half of the sauce over the top in an even layer, then distribute 1/3 of the cheese over it. Cover the cheese with 1/3 of the beaten egg mixture, then dot with 1 tablespoon of the butter cut into tiny pieces. Repeat the layering in the same order and finish with a layer of zucchini topped with the last 1/3 of the beaten egg, butter, and cheese. Cook the torte on the top shelf of the oven until the eggs are set and the cheese has melted, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, let rest for 5 minutes, and serve.

CALABACITAS

Steps:

• Saute the onion in oil.
• Add the squash and chilies.
• Mix and cook, covered, for 20 minutes.
• Add the corn and seasonings and cook 5 minutes longer.
• Add the milk and cheese, stirring constantly to prevent sticking until cheese melts.

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.

MEXICAN CALABACITAS

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.