Pueblo Style Calabacitas Food

STUFFED POBLANO PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place the tomato halves flesh-side up in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. In a medium bowl, whisk together 4 tablespoons of the olive oil, the confectioners' sugar, red pepper flakes and 2 teaspoons salt. Spread the mixture evenly over the tomato halves. Roast the tomatoes until tender, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Heat a large skillet over high heat and add half of the canola oil. When it begins to smoke lightly, add half of the poblanos and cook to tenderize without making them mushy. Using a slotted spoon, remove the peppers to a baking sheet, cavity-side up. Repeat with the remaining poblanos and canola oil. Season with salt and set aside.
• In a large skillet, heat the 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and the thyme. As the oil heats, the thyme will fry and become crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the thyme sprigs, then season with salt and cool. Add the bell peppers to the same skillet and season with salt. Cook over high heat, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the peppers brown slightly but are still slightly firm, 3 to 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the peppers and transfer to a medium bowl. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet, heat until it begins to smoke lightly, and add the garlic and onions. Reduce the heat to medium. Season with salt and cook until the onions are lightly brown and tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the onions to the bell peppers.
• Quarter the oven-dried tomatoes and add to the pepper and onion mix. Chop the basil leaves and stir into the filling along with the red wine vinegar and mozzarella. Pull the thyme leaves off the stems and add to the mixture. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan and melted butter. Stuff each pepper halfway with the filling, and then top with the breadcrumb mixture.
• Heat the peppers in the oven to brown the tops, 10 to 12 minutes. Arrange on a platter and drizzle with the balsamic vinegar to serve.

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.

PUEBLO STYLE CALABACITAS

Steps:

• Place a medium skillet over medium heat for a minute or two. Add the olive oil, wait about 30 seconds, then swirl to coat the pan.
• When hot enough to sizzle a bread crumb, add the onion, chiles, salt, and optional chlle powder, and cook, stirring often, for 8-10 minutes, or vegetables become quite soft.
• Add the zucchini, corn, garlic, and beans, if using, and continue to cook, stirring gently to avoid breaking the beans, for about 5 minutes longer, or until the zucchini is just tender. Make sure not to overcook the zucchini. Remove the pan from the heat.
• Sprinkle in the grated cheese to taste and stir to distribute it as it melts. Add black pepper and more salt, if needed to taste.
• Serve hot, warm or at room temperature, along with lime wedges to squeeze over, on the side of each serving. Enjoy!
• Note:.
• You can make this up to several days ahead. Store it in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator, and reheat in a microwave or in a covered dish in a 300*F. oven.
• Anaheim and poblano chiles are moderately hot. For a milder flavor, remove and discard the seeds. Wash your hands after handling these or any hot peppers. You can also substitute canned green chiles.
• Fresh corn, shaved right off the cob, is perfect. But defrosted frozen corn is fine too.

CALABACITAS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, fry bacon until crispy.
• Drain, crumble and set aside, reserving 2 tablespoons bacon grease.
• In the reserved bacon grease, saute' the onions until clear.
• Add the ground beef to the onions and cook until well browned.
• Drain the meat, if necessary to remove most of the grease.
• Add the tomatoes, zucchini and squash, cover and cook until the squash is tender.
• Place cooked mixture in serving dish.
• Salt and pepper to taste, and top with crumbled bacon.

MEXICAN ZUCCHINI - CALABACITAS

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.

MEXICAN CALABACITAS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook onions for 2-3 minutes in oil over medium heat, until soft.
• Add zucchini and tomatoes.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes, until squash and tomatoes are tender.
• Stir in corn, chile, salt and 1 cup of the cheese.
• Pour this mixture into a greased casserole and sprinkle remaining cheese over top.
• Bake at 350º for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese on top is melted.