How to Make Calabacitas in Record Time

October 5, 2007

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Looking for a quick healthy Mexican meal, you can make in 30 minutes or less? Look no further than this recipe for calabacitas. Serves 2 with leftovers for one (yea!)

Here’s what you’ll need:
4 T olive oil
3-4 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 C summer squash, cubed
1 C zuccini, cubed
1 C carrot, chopped into thin discs
1 can of corn
1/2 bottle of beer
1 4-oz. can of diced jalepenos (or for the timid, mild green chilis)
2 large tomatoes, seeded and cubed
1/2 C green onion, chopped
lots of cilantro
two limes, quartered
salt to tastes
sour cream
cheddar or jack cheese
whole wheat tortillas

To make this vegetarian dish quickly, I prefer to chop most of the veggies while I’m cooking. So, let’s do this:

Heat the olive oil on medium heat. While the oil is heating, chop the garlic and add it to the pan. While the garlic is cooking, chop up that onion, quick like, and toss that in the skillet. Now add the carrot.

Next come the squash and the zuccini; chop ‘em up and toss ‘em in. Add salt as needed. Saute these veggies for 5 minutes or until they start to soften up. Open the corn, and pour out half of the water. Add the corn to the pan. Now chop up and add the tomato. Crack open the beer. Pour half into the pot and enjoy the other half.

A word of warning: This next step can set your hair on fire (figuratively). If you’re using jalepenos, it’s easy to overdo the heat in this recipe. If you like it hot, go ahead, add the entire can of chilis and the liquid as well. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. You will be wiping your brow with the tortillas. My advice? Add the jalepenos, and sample the broth. Add more of the jalepenos until you reach nirvana.

Simmer this dish until the liquid has reduced. While it’s simmering, chop up around 1/4 cup cilantro and the green onions. Quarter your limes. Chop up additional green onion and cilantro for garnish if desired.

Reduce the heat and cover the pan. Grate the cheese, warm your tortillas if you want. Squeeze one of the limes into the calabacitas, and place a wedge or two on each plate. Scoop calabacitas into a bowl, and place the bowl on the plate. Around the bowl place your tortillas, cheese and sour cream.

Play ball!

Posted by seth | Filed Under Food, Blog 

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