Mexican Squash Food

CALABACITA CON PUERCO (PORK WITH SQUASH)

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook pork chops until no longer pink in the center, about 4 minutes per side. Cool until easily handled, about 5 minutes. Cut the pork into bite-sized cubes.
• Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in the saucepan. Add cubed pork, calabaza squash, corn, onion, tomatoes, and garlic and cook until onion is transparent, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato sauce, cumin, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Pour in chicken stock and simmer, covered, until flavors are combined, about 2 hours. Stir occasionally and check periodically to see if more chicken stock is needed.

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 STYLE SQUASH MEDLEY

Steps:

• Heat oil in large lidded skillet.
• Add squash, onion and garlic and saute until tender crisp.
• Add jalepeno (if using), tomatoes, corn, chili powder, salt and pepper.
• Cover pan, reduce heat and simmer until it all cooks down (about 25 minutes, more or less to your taste). Stir occasionally.
• Uncover pan, sprinkle cheese on top. Serve after cheese melts.
• This lends itself nicely to whatever else you have around. Chopped bell peppers are a nice addition.

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.

TEXICAN SQUASH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish.
• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add squash and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.
• In a large bowl combine eggs, milk, cheese, salt, baking powder, flour and chiles; mix well. Fold in squash.
• Sprinkle half of the crushed corn chips in the bottom of the prepared dish. Spoon the squash mixture into the dish, and top with the remaining crushed chips.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.

MEXICAN SPAGHETTI SQUASH CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Pierce the spaghetti squash all over with a knife.
• Put in microwave for 10 minutes (or until skin is soft to the touch).
• Remove squash and let cool (however long you want).
• Cut squash in half and remove the seeds.
• Use a fork to scrape the insides into a large bowl.
• Add all other ingredients to the squash and stir together.
• Put in casserole and top with cheese.
• Bake in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes, or until cheese bubbles.
• Let sit for a few minutes before serving.