Recipe

Calabacitas

Calabacitas

Photo by aargersi

  • This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Summer Squash Recipe
  • Chef

    aargersi's Notes: My big sister, who lives in New Mexico, taught me these years ago - it's one of my favorite ways to cook squash - it's simple but packs a flavor punch. A note on the chilis - I am of the...

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Serves 4

  1. Roast your chilis - I do this on the grill but you can do it over a gas burner or in the broiler, use what you have! Blacken the skins and then wrap them in a tea towel for a few minutes. Pull the skins off and rinse the seeds out. Chop them coarsely.

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  2. Prep the rest - cut the squashes into bit size pieces. mince the garlic and cut the onion into a large dice. Cut the corn off of the cob into a bowl - catch the "milk" as well (Amanda demonstrates this in the corn chowder video). Rough chop the cilantro.

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  3. Heat the olive oil to med - high and add the onion and a pinch of salt. Saute until it is just turning clear, then add the garlic and saute another minute or so. In with the squash, corn and cumin, and saute until they are just tender. Add the chilis, taste and adjust the salt. Stir in the cilantro and juice from the lime, turn off the heat, and serve!

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20 Comments on Calabacitas

Img_0423 Reply

Growing up in New Mexico, my grandma used to make this for us as well. Though she called it "Squash & Corn" -- so glad you posted this recipe! =)

036 Reply

Where in NM? We live in Taos when I was a kid .... sister is in Espanola now!

31502_420285485515_528255515_5865967_2714152_n Reply

Simple and sublime :)

Reply

zuchinni and squash are a great combo; great recipe

Copy_of_me Reply

aargersi, those dang!@#$ squirrels...anyway, yes i pressure canned to make my relish, used the Ball canning book.

186003_1004761561_1198459_n Reply

What is with the squirrels this year!@$%^&&&! I have to remind myself to hit the squirrel....do NOT crash the car! I wish that they came out at night...then the coyotes would eat them....sorry, I digress...

Img_1045_2 Reply

This looks wonderful. I ate a similar dish in Mexico and have wanted to replicate it ever since. Thanks so much for posting it!

Missginsu_bike Reply

Sounds tasty! I love the idea of the roasted chilies with the zucchini.

036 Reply

Roasted chilis make everything better! The smell alone improves the world.

Copy_of_me Reply

Delicious…This is great, similar to what we do when it comes time to figure out what else to do with a bountiful garden harvest. I have also made relish, chopped smaller and canned a dozen pints. OH, and thanks for the name!

036 Reply

You bet! #@^&%$ squirrels got into my garden so I will be headed to the farmer's market for supplies this week ... grr. Do you have to pressure can stuff like this? I am just learning ...

Chocolate_peppermint_truffle_cookies_032 Reply

Love this! I make something similar but I've never included zucchini. And I'm with dymnyno - I've never had such a great name for it. I'm of the more the better on chilis too and will be making this really soon!!

Lnd_jen Reply

My Mexican grandma (and my biggest cooking inspiration) Marina refers to most summer squash as "calabaza", and has her own prep for a "calabacitas" that is similar to this dish. She has told me that there is a particular squash variety in Mexico that has the name Calabaza, but when she moved to Michigan a bazillion years ago, she and others in the recent immigrant community just started referring to the similar squashes they could get by that same name.

At any rate, this sounds lovely, and it's a squash prep that is close to my heart. It's great stuffed into warmed tortillas, too - way to stretch an already thrifty but tasty dish.

036 Reply

I "quesadillad" my leftovers for lunch yesterday - delish! I wonder if your grandma was referring to those small yellow oval shaped squash?

186003_1004761561_1198459_n Reply

I think I make this a lot during the summer....but I never had a wonderful name for it before. Still, I like your concise instructions.

036 Reply

Why thank you! Left to my own devices I often add even more chilis - but that's only when I have just my own digestive system to be accountable for - I am something of a billygoat :-)

Ab_sum Reply

I love how simple this is! It looks delicious.Thanks.

036 Reply

Thanks! I either do this or just grill with salt and lemon :-) I am a simple squash gal

Picture_6 Reply

I'm surprised I haven't heard of this before - but it sounds right up my alley!

036 Reply

And you soo close to New Mexico :-)

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