Calabacitas, which is also known as Mexican zucchini is an ingredient in the cuisine of Mexico and the American Southwest. This delicious summer squash has a flavor and a tender texture that pairs perfectly with the bold spice combinations found in Mexican cooking.
Finding calabacitas in grocery stores these days is quite easy. It’s an ingredient that can be prepared in numerous ways. Whether you prefer calabacitas tacos, roasted calabacitas with cheese or stuffed calabacitas casserole this vegetable adds fantastic taste to a wide range of dishes.
Continue reading to discover more about calabacitas the cooking methods for it and some mouthwatering recipe ideas. With these calabacitas recipes you’ll have a flavorful and healthy side dish or main course that will bring a Southwestern flair to your dinner table.
What are Calabacitas?
Calabacitas goes by names, such as Mexican zucchini, tatuma squash or Santa Barbara squash. It belongs to the family of summer squashes to the Americas and grows abundantly in Mexico.
The size of calabacitas can vary from zucchini like squashes, to larger round ones that measure over a foot long. The skin is edible. Becomes tender when cooked. The flesh has a green color and offers a mild nutty flavor reminiscent of zucchini or other summer squashes.
This vegetable is incredibly versatile in the kitchen serving as both a side dish and a star ingredient in main courses like tacos or enchiladas. It pairs wonderfully with spices tomato sauces, cheese, eggs, rice and beans.
The Health Benefits of Calabacitas
Not is calabacitas flavorful but it also offers a wide range of nutrients. It contains beta carotene, vitamin C, magnesium and omega 3 fatty acids. Being low in calories and high in fiber makes it beneficial for heart health, weight loss management, digestive health improvement well as promoting eye health and more.
Calabacitas also provides antioxidants that combat inflammation and strengthen the system. Adding it to a balanced diet is a wise choice for overall health.
Tips for Selecting Quality Calabacitas
When buying calabacitas from the store or market look for squashes with unblemished rinds without any soft spots. They should feel relative to their size. Smaller calabacitas are generally more tender while larger ones tend to have seeds.
Opt for green calabacitas while avoiding those with brown spots or a dull yellowish hue. Additionally steer clear of any that show signs of mold or moisture buildup.
To keep calabacitas at their best quality store them in a plastic bag within the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. They can be kept for, up to 5 days. Remember to wash them before using.
To prepare calabacitas start by rinsing it and trimming off the ends. Next slice it peel the skin. Remove the seeds before cutting it into the appropriate size for your recipe.
Instructions for Cooking Calabacitas
One of the great things about cooking calabacitas is its simplicity. This tender vegetable requires preparation and cooking time.
Calabacitas can be cooked using methods. You can sauté them roast them grill them boil them or even steam them. There are plenty of options!. You won’t need much oil or fat to cook them.
Here are some common ways to cook calabacitas;
• Sauté; Slice the calabacitas. Sauté them in olive oil along with garlic, onions, tomatoes and Mexican spices until they’re easily pierced with a fork.
• Roast; Toss cubed or sliced calabacitas in olive oil and Mexican spices before roasting them in an oven until they turn golden brown and become tender.
• Grill; Brush. Spears of calabacitas, with oil and grill them over high heat until they become nicely charred. Remember to turn them
• Steam; Cut the calabacitas into chunks and steam them for 5 10 minutes until they become just tender. Then toss them with spices and a little oil or cheese sauce.
• Simmer; Add chopped calabacitas to tomato based stews, soups or chilis. Let everything simmer until the vegetables become very soft.
No matter how you prepare it calabacitas only require 5 15 minutes of cooking time. It transitions from being crispy to soft rapidly so it’s important to keep a close watch while cooking.
To determine when calabacitas are cooked properly you can use a fork or paring knife to pierce them. If you encounter resistance they may need another minute or two. When fully cooked the squash will be tender enough for the knife to easily pass through.
5 Delectable Calabacitas Recipes
This flavorful Mexican squash shines in traditional Latin recipes. However it also serves as a side dish or taco topping.
Here are 5 of the delicious calabacitas recipes that you can add to your collection;
1. Sheet Pan Dinner; Roasted Calabacitas with Corn
This roasted calabacitas recipe is perfect as a main course or side dish without meat. The calabacitas caramelizes in the oven alongside corn, red onion and bell peppers making for a satisfying and wholesome sheet pan dinner option. You can opt for tacos filled with this mixture of meat enjoy it over rice or savor it as is, for an uncomplicated vegetarian meal.
Here’s a recipe for Calabacitas Breakfast Scramble that you can enjoy for breakfast or brunch. It’s an flavorful dish where fluffy scrambled eggs are combined with tender calabacitas, spicy chorizo, cheese and a touch of chili powder. For a special treat serve the scramble stuffed into warm corn tortillas to make amazing breakfast tacos.
Ingredients;
3 cups of cubed calabacitas
1 cup of thawed corn kernels
1 small red onion thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper cut into strips
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 and a half teaspoons of chili powder
1 teaspoon of cumin
Half a teaspoon of oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions;
1. Preheat your oven to 450°F.
2. In a bowl toss together all the ingredients until they are evenly coated in the spices and oil.
3. Arrange the vegetables in a layer on a large baking sheet, with raised edges.
4. Roast them in the oven for about 15 to 18 minutes until the calabacitas is nicely browned. Remember to give them a stir through roasting.
5. Once they’re done serve immediately. Savor every bite!
Enjoy this Calabacitas Breakfast Scramble as part of your morning meal or brunch spread!Ingredients;
2 tablespoons of olive oil, divided
8 eggs
1 small onion finely diced
3 cups of chopped calabacitas
4 ounces of Mexican chorizo with casings removed
1/2 cup of shredded Monterey jack cheese
1 teaspoon of chili powder
1/4 teaspoon of cumin
Chopped cilantro for garnish
Salsa and hot sauce for serving
Instructions;
1. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the onion until it becomes soft for about 3 to 4 minutes.
2. Add the chopped calabacitas to the skillet. Cook for an additional 3 minutes until they slightly soften. Transfer the vegetables to a bowl and set them aside.
3. Return the skillet to high heat and add the chorizo without casings. Break up the meat using a spoon while cooking until it turns browned approximately in about 3 to 4 minutes.
4. Place the cooked chorizo on paper towels to drain any grease and then add it to the bowl with the cooked vegetables.
5. In that skillet over medium heat warm up the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Whisk together eggs with powder and cumin then pour them into the pan.
6. Gently stir using a spatula soon as eggs begin to set ensuring you scrape along the bottom as they cook.
7. Once eggs are halfway set return calabacitas mixture back, into the pan. Stir gently to combine everything evenly.
8. Take the pan off the heat. Gently mix in the shredded cheese.
9. Enjoy the mixture of scrambled eggs and calabacitas with your toppings.
3. Easy and Cheesy Stuffed Calabacitas
This recipe for stuffed calabacitas is a vegetarian main dish. The Mexican squash boats are filled with tomatoes, corn, cheese and spices to create a meatless dinner. Serve it with rice, beans, avocado, lettuce salsa—the package!
Ingredients;
2 sized calabacitas squashes
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1/2 small onion finely diced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup of corn kernels
14 ounces can of petite diced tomatoes (drained)
1/2 cup of shredded Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon of chili powder
1/2 teaspoon of cumin powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions;
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Cut the squashes lengthwise. Remove the inner seeds using a spoon. Place the halves cut side up in a baking dish.
3. In a skillet over heat heat the oil. Sauté. Garlic until they become fragrant (approximately for about one minute).
4. Add in corn tomatoes, spices and season, with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences. Cook for a five minutes.
5.
Divide the mixture of tomatoes and corn equally among the four halves of squash. Next sprinkle some shredded cheese on top. Bake for approximately 20 minutes until the squash becomes tender. Before serving add a touch of cilantro for garnish. Enjoy!
4. Tacos with Tortilla Calabacitas
These simple calabacitas tacos are an quick recipe that you can enjoy on Taco Tuesday or any other day of the week. Pan fried calabacitas are topped with Cotija cheese, cabbage, radishes, cilantro and a lime crema to create vegetarian tacos.
Ingredients;
3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
3 cups chopped calabacitas
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
8 corn tortillas (warmed)
1/2 head of shredded green cabbage
1/2 cup crumbled Cotija or feta cheese
2 thinly sliced radishes
Chopped cilantro for serving
Lime Crema;
1/2 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
Zest from one lime
1 tablespoon lime juice
A pinch of salt
Instructions;
1. Heat two tablespoons of oil in a skillet, over medium high heat. Add calabacitas. Season them with spices, salt and pepper. Cook while stirring occasionally until they become lightly browned and tender which usually takes around six to eight minutes.
To prepare the crema whisk together the crema, lime zest, lime juice and salt in a bowl. Set it aside for use.
For assembling the tacos take tortillas. Add calabacitas, cabbage, cheese, radishes and drizzle some of the prepared crema onto them. Finally top it off with cilantro.
Now lets move on to a recipe for Calabacitas Enchiladas Verdes. These enchiladas feature fried calabacitas and gooey melted cheese rolled up in soft corn tortillas. They are then generously smothered in a salsa verde. This recipe is perfect for those looking for a vegetarian meal or simply wanting to enjoy an extra serving of veggies.
Here are the ingredients you will need;
3 tablespoons of olive oil (divided)
1 onion (chopped)
3 cloves of garlic (minced)
3 cups of chopped calabacitas
8 ounces of Oaxacan or mozzarella cheese
12 small corn tortillas
1 1/2 cups of Salsa Verde
Chopped onion, cilantro and additional crema for serving
Now lets start with the instructions;
1. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until they become soft (approximately 3 minutes).
2. Add the chopped calabacitas to the skillet and season, with powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Cook everything together for around 6 to 8 minutes while stirring occasionally until the calabacitas become tender.
3.
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a baking dish measuring 9×13 inches using the remaining tablespoon of oil.
Next take 1/4 cup of the calabacitas mixture and place it onto each tortilla. Roll up the tortillas. Carefully arrange them in the prepared baking dish ensuring that the seam side is facing down.
Evenly pour salsa verde over the enchiladas. Top them off with cheese.
Place the dish in the oven. Bake for approximately 20 minutes until it becomes hot and bubbly.
When serving garnish the enchiladas with chopped onions, cilantro and crema. Enjoy this meal!
Incorporate Calabacitas Into Your Regular Dinner Routine
With their flavors and easy preparation process incorporating calabacitas into your regular dinner routine is a simple way to add another vegetable side to your meals.
Whether you choose to fry, stuff or melt cheese on them calabacitas offer versatility that even beginner home cooks can master. So time you come across these vibrant green beauties at your local farmers market or grocery store make sure to grab some for your familys enjoyment!