Mexican Zucchini and Corn Calabacitas (Printable)

Sautéed zucchini, corn, and peppers with melted cheese in this comforting Mexican dish.

# What You Need:

→ Fresh Produce

01 - 2 medium zucchini, diced
02 - 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 1 medium tomato, diced
05 - 1 medium poblano pepper, seeded and diced
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (plus more for garnish)

→ Dairy

08 - 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or shredded Monterey Jack cheese

→ Pantry

09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Optional

13 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (for extra heat)
14 - Lime wedges, for serving

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
02 - Add the onion and poblano pepper; sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Add the diced zucchini, corn, tomato, cumin, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper.
05 - Cook, stirring occasionally, for 8–10 minutes until vegetables are just tender but not mushy.
06 - Remove from heat. Stir in half the cheese and the chopped cilantro.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning.
08 - Transfer to a serving dish. Top with remaining cheese and extra cilantro. Serve with lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Its the kind of dish that makes people ask whats in this after their first bite, but takes barely any effort to pull together on a weeknight
  • The combination of sweet corn, melting cheese, and tender vegetables creates this incredible comfort food factor that somehow feels light and satisfying at the same time
02 -
  • Overcooking the zucchini is the biggest mistake here, so start checking for tenderness around eight minutes and remember theyll keep cooking slightly even after you remove the pan from heat
  • Adding cheese while the pan is still on the heat causes it to separate and turn oily instead of melting into creamy strands
03 -
  • Fresh corn cut from the cob makes this dish absolutely sing, but if youre using frozen, thaw it first and pat it dry to avoid excess water in the final dish
  • Letting the calabacitas rest for five minutes off the heat before serving allows the flavors to marry and makes each bite more cohesive

Return