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    Home » Recipes » Mexican Inspired

    Modified: Oct 16, 2023 · Published: Jan 28, 2015 by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

    Calabacitas

    Jump to Recipe Pin

    These easy Mexican Calabacitas are made with yellow squash, roasted green chiles, corn, and onion.

    Calabacitas on plate.

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    These Calabacitas are a flavorful side dish. You can make them spicy or not, depending on the type of green chiles you use.

    They are a healthy side dish. For this recipe, I used fresh roasted green chiles. If you cannot find fresh roasted, then you could use canned.

    I used yellow squash, but you could use zucchini as well, or a combination of the two.

    Another recipe with squash to try is my Vegan Southwest Buddha Bowl.

    Jump to:
    • What Are Calabacitas?
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love Them
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🍽 Serving
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs
    • Other Vegan Mexican Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    What Are Calabacitas?

    Calabacitas are a Mexican dish. It is a very common dish here in Arizona, and I have seen it made many different ways. It is made with zucchini or yellow squash, peppers, tomatoes, and corn.

    The versions I see in Tucson are usually made with cheese, but this calabacitas recipe is vegan. You could add vegan cheese if you like.

    ❤️ Why You'll Love Them

    • They make a great side dish.
    • They are simple and easy to make.
    • They're healthy and flavorful.

    🧾 Ingredients

    • Olive oil: To cook the veggies.
    • Onion: I used a red onion, but you could use a yellow onion or white onion.
    • Yellow squash or zucchini: I used yellow squash because I happen to have a large amount on hand. You could use just zucchini or a combination of zucchini and yellow squash.
    • Roasted green chiles: You can use roasted jalapeño, poblano pepper, Anaheim peppers, or even green bell pepper.
    • Corn: Adds sweetness. You can use fresh corn or frozen.
    • Tomatoes: I use plum tomatoes, but you could also use cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes.
    • Garlic: Adds a pungent flavor.
    • Oregano: Adds an earthy note.
    • Salt and pepper: Enhances flavors and adds flavor. I like to use sea salt.

    To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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    🔪 Instructions

    Step 1: Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add onions and cook until translucent.

    Step 2: Add yellow squash and cook until it begins to soften about 5 minutes.

    Step 3: Add roasted green chile, corn, minced garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Cook a few more minutes.

    Step 4: Add halved tomatoes and cook until cooked through.

    Calabacitas on plate close up.

    🍽 Serving

    • Black Bean and Corn Tacos
    • Vegan Mexican Shepherd's Pie
    • Caramelized Onion Hummus Quesadilla
    • Vegan Chilaquiles

    👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

    What are calabacitas made of?

    These vegan calabacitas are made with zucchini or yellow squash, peppers, tomatoes, and corn.

    What is squash called in Mexico?

    Calabacita means "little squash" in Spanish.

    Other Vegan Mexican Recipes

    • Smothered Vegan Burritos
      Smothered Vegan Burritos
    • Vegan Enchiladas on a plate.
      Vegan Tofu Enchiladas with Black Beans
    • Refried Bean Tacos on a cutting board with a ramekin of salsa.
      Refried Bean Tacos
    • Vegan Green Corn Tamales (Tamales de Elote)
      Vegan Green Corn Tamales (Tamales de Elote)

    If you tried this Calabacitas Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!

    📋 Recipe

    Calabacitas
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    5 from 2 votes

    Calabacitas

    These easy Mexican Calabacitas are made with yellow squash, roasted green chiles, corn, and onion.
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine Mexican inspired
    Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 9
    Calories 55kcal
    Author Willow Moon
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1  tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 cup chopped red onion (¼ of an onion)
    • 3  yellow squash or zucchini, chopped (5 cups)
    • 1 cup roasted green chiles
    • 1 cup corn fresh or frozen
    • 1  clove garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon oregano
    • Salt and pepper
    • 1  cup plum tomatoes halved
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Heat olive oil in pan and add onion.  Cook for a few minutes until onion is translucent.
    • Add squash and heat for about 5 minutes until squash starts to soften.
    • Add roasted green chile, corn, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper.  Cook for a few more minutes.
    • Add plum tomatoes and cook for a couple of minutes, until tomato is cooked through.

    Notes

    These calabacitas will last about 3-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 55kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 62mg | Potassium: 250mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 0.4mg
    SIGN UP for my newsletter, get a FREE 30 Minute Vegan Dinners 7-Day Meal Plan as a welcome gift! 💌

    *Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.

    More Mexican Inspired

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      Mexican Cauliflower Rice
    • Mango Habanero Salsa on a plate with tortilla chips.
      Mango Habanero Salsa
    • Vegan Black Bean Jicama Tacos
      Vegan Black Bean Jicama Tacos

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    Calabacitas

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