Mexican Calabacitas
This stovetop Mexican calabacitas is a 30-minute miracle of zucchini, corn, and poblano peppers, all laced with jalapeño and blanketed in melty vegan cheddar. Pure summer-in-a-skillet energy.
Servings: 6 Cups
Calories: 211kcal
Cost: $6.50
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 cup onion diced
- 1 poblano pepper diced
- 1 jalapeño diced (seeds, ribs, and stem discarded)
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup yellow corn fresh or frozen
- ½ cup cilantro chopped
- 1 ½ cups tomato diced
- 1 lb. zucchini cut into ½ cm thick half circle slices
- 1 ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ⅓ cup water
- ¾ cup vegan cheddar cheese shreds
Optional Garnishes:
- ¼ cup vegan cotija cheese
- 1 jalapeño sliced
- Cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Warm the olive oil in a wide sauté pan over medium heat. After 90 seconds, when the oil is hot, add the diced onion, poblano, and jalapeño. Cook over medium heat for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions and peppers are softened.
- Add the garlic, cumin seeds, oregano, smoked paprika, cinnamon, and black pepper. Stir and cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
- Add the corn, cilantro, diced tomatoes, zucchini, salt, lime juice, and water. Stir well to combine.
- Cover and cook over medium heat for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is just tender and the mixture is saucy.
- Uncover, give the contents of the pan a stir, and sprinkle on the vegan cheddar shreds. Cook covered for 2 minutes over medium heat until the cheese is melted.
- Garnish with crumbled vegan cotija, sliced jalapeño, and cilantro leaves if desired.
Notes
🌱 Zuke Skywalker:
Don’t overcook the zucchini; nobody asked for squash soup. Keep it just fork-tender so it holds shape and soaks up flavor.
🍳 Pan’s Labyrinth:
Use a non-reactive pan—tomatoes and cast iron don’t mix unless you like metallic-tasting calabacitas with ruined seasoning.
Nutrition
Calories: 211kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 721mg | Potassium: 482mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 882IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 2mg