Spanish Squash Recipes

ROASTED CALABAZA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475°F with racks in upper and lower thirds.
• Seed and peel calabaza, then cut into 3/4-inch-wide pieces (about 3 inches long).
• Toss with oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper, then divide between 2 large shallow heavy baking pans, spreading in 1 layer.
• Roast calabaza, switching position of pans and turning calabaza over halfway through cooking, until tender and starting to caramelize, 35 to 45 minutes.

CALABACITAS CON ELOTE (ZUCCHINI WITH CORN)

Steps:

• Place the corn in a saucepan with enough water to cover; bring to a boil. Place a cover on the saucepan, reduce heat to medium, and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir the onion and garlic in the hot oil until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Mix the zucchini and tomato into the onion and garlic; cook together 5 minutes. Stir the corn kernels into the mixture; add the poblano pepper. Season with salt and pepper; stir. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook until the zucchini is tender, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with the cotija cheese to serve.

CALABAZA CON POLLO (CALABAZA SQUASH AND CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add chicken thighs. Continue to boil until no longer pink in the centers and juices run clear, 15 to 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Drain, reserving 2 cups broth. Shred or chop chicken and set aside.
• Mix salt, garlic powder, cumin, and black pepper together in a bowl and set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add calabaza squash, zucchini, yellow squash, tomato, and onion. Cook and stir until tender, about 10 minutes. Add corn, followed by tomato sauce, dry spice mixture, and chicken. Pour in reserved 2 cups chicken broth. Mix well.
• Cover the pan and let simmer over medium heat, 20 to 30 minutes.