Calabacitas Recipe

Calabacitas, which interprets to “little squash” in Spanish, is a beloved dish with deep roots within the American Southwest and northern Mexico, particularly in New Mexican delicacies. An attractive instance of Indigenous culinary heritage, it highlights the “three sisters” of Native American agriculture — corn, squash, and beans — although trendy variations, like this one, usually omit the beans. Historically ready by Pueblo peoples and later adopted into Mexican and Southwestern kitchens, calabacitas has endured as a seasonal favourite, prized for its simplicity, flexibility, and vibrant flavors.

This colourful, comforting medley is a real celebration of summer time’s bounty. Candy corn, in-season summer time squash, and zucchini are gently sautéed in butter till tender and golden. Fragrant cumin and dried oregano, each traditional Mexican herbs and spices, add a smoky, herbaceous spine, whereas inexperienced chiles lend a mild warmth that balances the sweetness of the greens. A beneficiant handful of melty cheese brings a creamy richness that melds every part collectively. Simply earlier than serving, it’s topped with a sprinkle of crumbly queso fresco and recent cilantro for a cool, tangy end that brightens the dish.

Whether or not served as a vibrant aspect or a hearty vegetarian predominant, calabacitas is a kind of recipes that simply could be on repeat all summer time lengthy. It’s additionally endlessly amenable to no matter summer time greens you might have readily available — simply don’t overlook the cumin, chiles, cheese, and cilantro to drag all of it collectively.

What’s the distinction between Mexican oregano and Mediterranean oregano?

Mediterranean oregano is usually simply known as oregano in a recipe, whereas Mexican oregano is famous when its taste is most well-liked. Whereas these two oreganos share a reputation and related culinary makes use of, they arrive from totally completely different plant households and supply distinct taste profiles. Mediterranean oregano is a member of the mint household and has a gentle, barely candy taste with woody and floral notes, making it very best for Italian and Greek dishes like pasta sauces, grilled meats, and pizza. In distinction, Mexican oregano belongs to the verbena household and delivers a bolder, extra pungent style with hints of citrus, anise, and earthiness. This makes it a pure match for the strong, spicy flavors of Mexican and Southwestern delicacies, the place it’s generally utilized in salsas, stews, and dishes that includes chiles and cumin. Although they’re usually used interchangeably, the 2 oreganos contribute very completely different fragrant qualities, and substituting one for the opposite can noticeably change the flavour of a dish.

Serving solutions

Calabacitas makes a flexible and flavorful aspect dish that pairs superbly with a wide range of mains. Serve it alongside grilled rooster, carne asada, or baked fish because it’ll act virtually like a topping to every one in all these dishes. It’s additionally an ideal taco topper spooned on prime of steak, rooster, or carnitas. Or use it because the taco filler itself in heat tortillas and prime with avocado or salsa. For a hearty vegetarian meal, take pleasure in calabacitas over rice, quinoa, or alongside beans. Its daring, buttery taste and colourful components complement nearly any summer time unfold.

Notes from the Meals & Wine Check Kitchen

• The quantity of greens at first will likely be barely troublesome to stir. Allow them to cook dinner down barely, then fold gently utilizing a big picket spoon.
• You need to use pre-shucked corn and even frozen thawed corn if recent isn’t out there otherwise you’re brief on time. Use about 1 1/4 cups corn kernels.
• This recipe works effectively on a flatttop griddle, like a Blackstone, but additionally could be simply made in a cast-iron skillet. Use the biggest one you might have, ideally no less than 12-inches vast. 

This recipe was developed by Paige Grandjean; the textual content was written by Breana Killeen.