Mexican Squash With Cheese Food

CALABACITAS (MEXICAN STYLE ZUCCHINI)

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat the oil and butter over medium heat.
• Add the onion and cook about two minutes.
• Add the zucchini, tomato, corn salt & pepper. Mix all ingredients well.
• Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 8 minutes. Remove from heat and sprinkle the shredded cheese.
• Replace the cover on the skillet and allow to sit until the cheese melts, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Serve warm and sprinkle with some of queso fresco

MEXICAN-INSPIRED SPAGHETTI SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking pan with aluminum foil.
• Cut squash in 1/2 lengthwise. Remove and discard seeds. Add a few drops of oil to each 1/2 and spread using a pastry brush. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Place cut-side down in the prepared baking pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tender, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onion, bell pepper, and garlic in the hot oil until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Remove cooked squash from the oven and reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• Remove strands from squash using a fork or spoon and place them into a large bowl. Add black beans, sauteed veggies, 1/2 cup Mexican cheese, cilantro, cumin, salt, and pepper; mix well. Spoon mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Mexican cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with tomatoes, avocado, and olives. Serve immediately.

STUFFED MEXICAN SQUASH

Steps:

• Cook squash in boiling water to cover 7 minutes or until tender but still firm. Drain and cool slightly. Remove and discard stems. Cut each squash in half lengthwise; scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4 inch shell. Reserve the squash pulp.
• Saute garlic, onion, green pepper, and jalapeno in olive oil until crisp-tender. Sir in squash pulp, and cook, stirring often, until liquid has been absorbed. Add chili powder, salt and pepper; remove from heat. Add Monterey jack cheese and sour cream. Stir well.
• Place squash shells in a lightly greased 12x8x2 inch baking dish. Spoon squash mixture evenly into shells. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Divide picante sauce, Cheddar cheese and ripe olives evenly among the squash. Bake an additional 5 minutes.

MEXICAN ZUCCHINI CHEESE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot, and saute the onion and garlic until tender. Season with oregano.
• Mix in the chicken broth and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Mix in the zucchini, yellow squash, corn, and chile peppers. Reduce heat to low, and simmer 10 minutes, or until the squash is tender.
• Mix the cubed processed cheese into the soup. Continue to cook and stir until cheese is melted. Season with pepper. Mix in the cilantro just before serving.

MEXICAN SUMMER SQUASH CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• Combine yellow squash, zucchini, 1/2 of the Cheddar cheese, chile peppers, onion, and salt in a large bowl. Sprinkle with flour and toss to coat. Spread mixture into the prepared baking dish and cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until squash is tender and casserole is bubbly, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and discard foil. Spread salsa on top and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Return to the oven and bake, uncovered, until golden and heated through, about 20 minutes more.
• Garnish with green onions just before serving.