Calabaza Soup Sopa De Calabaza Food

CALABACITAS SOUP

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.

CALABAZA SOUP WITH CINNAMON CREME FRAICHE: SOPA DE CALABAZA CON CANELA CREMA FRESCA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a small saute pan toast the cumin, coriander, chile, and clove for 3 minutes over medium heat. When the spices have begun to release their aroma, add them to a large mixing bowl with the panela and olive oil, mix well with a whisk to break up any clumps of spices.
• Add the diced and peeled calabaza and mix well to coat. Pour the calabaza onto a large sheet tray and place in the oven to roast until the calabaza has softened and caramelized, about 30 minutes.
• While the calabaza is in the oven, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saucepan, when the oil begins to smoke add the onion and garlic and saute for around 5 minutes.
• When the onion has become translucent add the calabaza and chicken stock and cook at a gentle simmer for 15 minutes, puree the mixture with a hand held blender, add the heavy cream, and simmer for another 5 minutes, season with salt and pepper and reserve in a warm place.
• In a small bowl combine the creme fraiche and canela and mix well. To serve, ladle the soup into a large bowl and finish with a dollop of the canela-creme fraiche.

SPICED CALABAZA: CALABAZA EN TACHA

Steps:

• Begin by making the glaze in a pot. In a medium sauce pot on a medium flame, add piloncillo, sugar, and the water. It should take about 10 minutes for the sugar to dissolve. Add canela and orange juice, cook for another 10 minutes and then begin to whisk in butter. Place quartered pumpkins on a sheet tray, and pour spoonfuls of glaze on each piece. In a preheated 400-degree oven, cook calabaza for 20 minutes until roasted through.

SWEET AND SPICY CALABAZA SOUP WITH GARLIC MOJO

Steps:

• In a glass bowl, combine all the ingredients for the mojo and stir together. Cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before using. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the calabaza cut side down on a baking sheet and bake for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large soup pot melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for about 10 minutes, or until the onions are softened. Add the plantain and cook for 5 minutes more, then add the cumin, coriander, salt and pepper. Stir together for 3 minutes more. Add the chicken stock, increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium. Remove the calabaza from the oven and, when cool enough to handle, scoop out the flesh, break it into small pieces and add to the soup. Add the apple juice and simmer for 30 minutes more, until the plantain is tender. Pour the soup through a strainer into another large pan. Transfer the solid ingredients to a food processor and puree until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the puree to the liquid mixture, stir to combine, and heat through over medium heat. If you prefer a thicker consistency, remove the cover and simmer until slightly thickened. Serve in shallow heated bowls, with a teaspoon or 2 of the mojo swirled into the center.

FLAN DE CALABAZA (PUMPKIN)

Steps:

• Scoop out the filling of the pie slices and put them in a mixing bowl. Add in the milk and mix well. There's empty crust leftover, which you can discard or just pop in your mouth.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and boil some water. Spray 2 ramekins with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This preparation needs to happen first, because the next part is a little time sensitive.
• Put the sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. This will begin the caramelization process as it melts down to syrupy consistency-about 10 minutes. Stir it frequently until it becomes brownish in color, and then immediately pour a layer of it in each ramekin before it starts solidifying as it cools. Then top each ramekin with the pumpkin mixture. Place the ramekins on a rimmed baking sheet, and then pour about a 1/2-inch layer of boiling water into the sheet to ensure even baking. Bake for 20 minutes.
• After baking, let the ramekins cool, and then refrigerate them for a couple of hours until they're cold. Place a plate over each ramekin and then flip the two upside down so you can slowly lift the ramekin to reveal the flan inside. Garnish it with fresh mint if you have it and want it to look extra fancy.

SOPA DE CALABAZA Y MANZANA - PUMPKIN & APPLE SOUP

Steps:

• Combine all of the ingredients except for cilantro and nutmeg in a large pot and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Drain excess liquid and puree in blender or food processor.
• Adjust the seasonings.
• Reheat over medium heat.
• Garnish with cilantro & nutmeg.

SOPA DE FLOR DE CALABAZA -- MEXICAN SQUASH BLOSSOM SOUP

Steps:

• In a large heavy pot, melt butter and sauté the garlic and onions until translucent, about 3 minutes.
• Add the corn kernels, chiles, and zucchini and cook for two more minutes.
• Stir in the mushrooms and squash blossoms and continue to cook, about 5 minutes.
• Add chicken broth and bring to a boil.
• Lower heat and simmer and additional 10 to 12 minutes.
• Adjust salt to taste.
• Serve with a tortilla squares and a spoonful of creme frâiche or heavy cream.