Pan De Calabacita Recipes

CALABACITAS

Steps:

• Give the tomatoes a good rinse and let them roast in a 400F oven for 20 minutes or until you need them. I usually de-stem the tomatoes knowing that any juices leftover in the roasting pan will be used.
• Finely chop a small onion and get it cooking in some oil over medium heat. Let it cook until it's starting to brown, approx. 7-10 minutes. Add three minced garlic cloves and cook for 30-60 seconds.
• Take a couple spoonfuls of the onion-garlic mixture from the pan and add it to the blender -- this will eventually be combined with the roasted tomatoes.
• Give the zucchinis a good rinse and cut them up into 1/4" sized pieces -- be sure to cut off the ends of the zucchinis and discard. Add the chopped zucchini to the onion-garlic mixture in the pan, along with 3/4 teaspoon salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano. Stir well and let it saute for a couple minutes as you put the tomato mixture together.
• Rinse the jalapeno and chop it up into quarters, discarding the stem. Add the roasted tomatoes to the blender along with 1/4 of the jalapeno. (There should also be a couple spoonfuls of the onion-garlic mixture in the blender.) Combine well and take a taste. Add additional slivers of the jalapeno until the heat tastes right to you. I used a larger jalapeno for this batch and only needed about half of it.
• Add the tomato mixture back to the saucepan and let the zucchini simmer in it for a couple more minutes or until the zucchini is tender but still a little firm -- this batch cooked for a total of 7-8 minutes. If using canned corn you can add it in now as it doesn't need much time to heat up. If using fresh corn kernels you can add them in when you add the zucchini. (I usually drain and rinse canned corn but this is optional.)
• Take a final taste for seasoning. I added another generous pinch of salt to this batch.
• Serve immediately with your choice of garnish. Cotija cheese and freshly chopped cilantro are good options.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge where they will keep for a few days.

CALABACITAS

Steps:

• Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, bell pepper, onion, and zucchini, and cook until the zucchini begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the salt, pepper, half and half, and corn. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and sprinkle Monterey Jack cheese over top. Replace the cover on the skillet and allow to sit until the cheese melts, 2 to 3 minutes.

TORTA DE CALABACITAS

Steps:

• In a heavy skillet, heat the oil over medium-low heat. Saute the onions for 5 to 6 minutes, or until softened. Add the chiles, tomatoes, and salt to the pan and increase the heat to medium-high. Continue cooking for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until most of the liquid has evaporated. Set aside and allow to cool completely. In a large covered vegetable steamer, steam the zucchini for 5 to 6 minutes, or until tender but. not mushy. Season to taste, then remove the steamer from the pan and let them cool completely. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and thoroughly butter a medium oven-proof casserole or souffle dish. Coat the inside of the dish with the bread crumbs. In a large mixing bowl, whip the egg whites with 1/4 teaspoon salt to stiff peaks, then add the egg yolks, beating them in well. The mixture will be frothy but stiff. Distribute a layer of zucchini slices in overlapping circles on the bottom of the casserole. Pour half of the sauce over the top in an even layer, then distribute 1/3 of the cheese over it. Cover the cheese with 1/3 of the beaten egg mixture, then dot with 1 tablespoon of the butter cut into tiny pieces. Repeat the layering in the same order and finish with a layer of zucchini topped with the last 1/3 of the beaten egg, butter, and cheese. Cook the torte on the top shelf of the oven until the eggs are set and the cheese has melted, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, let rest for 5 minutes, and serve.

CALABACITAS RECIPE

Steps:

• Prep all the veggies, including roasting the corn for a few minutes.
• Make cauliflower rice or use store-bought.
• In a large pan on medium heat, add the avocado oil first and distribute across the pan. Add the chopped zucchini and squash, shallots and spices.
• Sauté for 10 minutes or until veggies are soft.
• Add in the red peppers, roasted corn and fresh herbs. Stir well and cook for another 2 minutes.
• Next, layer the ingredients evenly between 4 bowls for serving: cauliflower rice, calabacitas mixture, and then spinach.
• Top each bowl with sliced lime, avocado and radishes, along with chickpeas and a poached egg.
• For the side dish version, simply omit the cauliflower rice and toppings.
• Serve warm.

PAN DULCE DE CALABAZA - SWEET PUMPKIN BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F Butter a 9-x-5-inch loaf pan an d line th bottom with baking parchment or waxed paper.
• In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and allspice.
• Place the calabaza puree, sugar, butter, and eggs in a large mixing bowl and thoroughly combine with an electric mixer. With the mixer at low speed, gradually add the flour mixture. Fold in the raisins. Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
• Bake on the middle rack of the oven until the loaf has risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 5o to 60 minutes. Let the loaf cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto the rack, peel off the paper, and let it cool completely before serving.