Calabacitas

Calabacitas

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/calabacitas.html

From EatingWell:  May/June 2007, EatingWell for a Healthy Heart Cookbook (2008)

Enjoy this traditional Southwestern dish of sautéed summer squash, onions and peppers as a side or as a vegetarian filling for tacos.

6 servings, about 2/3 cup each | Active Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 poblano or Anaheim chile pepper, seeded and diced
• 2 cups diced zucchini
• 2 cups diced summer squash
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, (optional)

Preparation

1. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and chile; cook, stirring, until soft, about 4 minutes. Add zucchini, summer squash and salt; cover and cook, stirring once or twice, until tender, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in cilantro (if using).

Nutrition

Per serving : 40 Calories; 2 g Fat; 0 g Sat; 2 g Mono; 0 mg Cholesterol; 4 g Carbohydrates; 1 g Protein; 1 g Fiber; 199 mg Sodium; 201 mg Potassium

Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat

Tomato, Zucchini, Squash and Caramelized Onion Gratin

Tomato, Zucchini, Squash and Caramelized Onion Gratin

• 6-7 large Roma tomatoes, sliced

1 large zucchini (or 2 small ones), sliced 1 large yellow squash (or 2 small ones), sliced 1 tsp olive oil 1 onions, sliced 1 clove of garlic, sliced very thin 1/4-1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, grated1/2 tsp dried basil 2-3 leaves of basil, chopped for garnish

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Coat a large and deep baking dish (I used a large corning ware casserole dish) with olive oil cooking spray. Slice the zucchini, yellow squash, onion and tomatoes into thick slices.

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot add the onion slices and sauté for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and caramelized- make sure you season with sea salt to taste. Add the garlic to the onions and sauté, stirring frequently for 60 seconds then remove from heat and let cool.

Layer the dish with first tomatoes then yellow squash, a bit of Parmesan then the layer of caramelized onions and garlic, then the zucchini and finally the last layer of tomatoes. I seasoned each layer (except the onions) with a little bit of sea salt and pepper. Top with the remaining Parmesan cheese and sprinkle the dried basil on top and cover with a lid or tin foil.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove the lid or tin foil and broil for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown and crispy on top. Let cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil. Enjoy.

Summer Vegetable Macaroni and Cheese

Summer Vegetable Macaroni and Cheese
HeatherAReed via The Complete Southern Cookbook

Ingredients

• 1 (8-ounce) package elbow macaroni

Veggies:

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 cup chopped fresh broccoli
• 1 cup chopped yellow squash
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots
• 1 small red onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Cheese sauce:

• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper OR a splash of hot sauce
• 1 1/2 cups extra-sharp Cheddar, grated
• 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

Toppings:

• 3 Roma tomatoes, sliced
• 2 tablespoons dry seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Drain, cover, and set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, and set aside.
3. Place a Dutch oven over medium heat, and add the oil and butter.
4. When the butter is melted, add the broccoli, squash, carrots, onion, pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
5. Remove the vegetables from the heat, and stir in the macaroni. Set aside.
6. To make the sauce: Whisk together the eggs, milk, mustard, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Pour over the macaroni mixture, and add the Cheddar, Monterey Jack, and ricotta. Gently stir to evenly coat. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary.
7. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish.
8. Top with the tomatoes.
9. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs and Parmesan over the top.
10. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving warm.

Recipe makes 8 servings.

Quinoa Summer Salad

Quinoa Summer Salad
~rls2007~

1 cup pre washed qunoa
2 cups chicken broth
2 cloves crushed garlic

2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons red or white wine vinegar
3 cloves crushed garlic
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup diced zuchinni
1/2 cup diced summer squash
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup diced cucumber
1/2 cup diced yellow bell pepper
1/4 cup diced red onion
1-2 cups halved grape tomatoes
1-2 cups halved fresh mozzarella balls or 1 cup diced provolone cheese

Directions:

1.  Add quinoa, chicken broth and garlic to a pot and bring to a boil.  Cover and simmer 10-15 minutes until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.  Set aside to cool.  Once cool, place in a container in the fridge until cold.

2.  Whisk together lemon juice, oil, vinegar and seasonings until combined.  Set aside.

3.  Chop all veggies and cheese and add to large bowl.

4.  Add quinoa to veggies and pour dressing over.  Toss until well combined.  Adjust seasonings as desired.

Cheesy Zucchini Rice

Cheesy Zucchini Rice

Via bunsinmyoven.com (and Pinterest)

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium or 2 small zucchini, grated (I used my food processor but a cheese grater would work well, too)
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• salt and pepper, to taste
• splash of milk, as needed

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a medium sauce pan over medium heat.
2. Add the rice and stir to coat. Toast the rice, stirring often, just until it starts to turn golden.
3. Pour in the chicken broth, bring to a boil, turn heat to low, and cover.
4. Cook, covered, for 15 - 20 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed.
5. Remove from the heat and add the butter, grated zucchini, cheddar, and garlic powder. Stir until well incorporated. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes.
6. Stir again and add salt and pepper to taste and a splash of milk if you'd like to thin out the texture a little bit.

Stuffed Zucchini Cups

Stuffed Zucchini Cups 
The-Skipper-Bunch

2 large zucchini or yellow squash, about 12 inches long 
2 tsp. + 2 tsp. olive oil (may need more, depending on your pan)
1/2 cup finely chopped onion 
1 green pepper, finely chopped 
2 T finely minced fresh garlic 
1 lb. ground beef 
12 oz. ground turkey 
1-2 tsp. Favorite seasonings 
2 C tomato-basil pasta sauce 
2 cups low-fat mozzarella or other mild white cheese (I used low-fat blend of six cheeses called Italian blend.)

Preheat oven to 350F. Chop onion and green pepper. Heat 2 tsp. olive oil in a non-stick pan, then saute onion and pepper for 3-4 minutes, until just starting to soften. Add minced garlic and saute about 1 minute more, being careful not to brown the garlic. Remove the onion, pepper, and garlic mixture to a bowl. Add 2 tsp. more olive oil to the pan. Crumble in the ground beef and ground turkey, season with seasoning, and cook over medium heat until the meat is well browned. Tilt pan to see if there is any extra fat, and remove with a spoon if there is, then stir cooked vegetables and garlic back into the meat. Add tomato sauce and simmer until the mixture has thickened and liquid has cooked off, about 10 minutes, then turn off heat. While meat cools, cut zucchini into 2 inch thick slices, discarding ends. Use a sharp spoon or melon baller to hollow out a cup in each zucchini slice, leaving just over 1/4 inch of zucchini flesh. Be careful not to get too close to the skin or the cups will leak liquid when they cook. Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray and stand up zucchini cups, open end up. Stir 1 1/2 cups grated cheese into the cooled meat mixture (it doesn't need to be completely cool), then spoon the meat-cheese mixture into zucchini cups, pressing down with the spoon and mounding it up a little over the top of the zucchini. Bake zucchini cups for 20 minutes, then remove from oven and use remaining cheese to top each one with a generous pinch of cheese. Put back in oven and bake 10-15 minutes more, until zucchini is slightly soft when pierced with a fork and cheese is melted and lightly browned.

Farfelle with Zucchini and Parsley-Almond Pesto

Farfalle with Zucchini and Parsley-Almond PestoMichelle (MMmom)

This pasta dish is terrific served warm, but it can also be refrigerated and served as a cold pasta salad. 

1 pound farfalle
1 garlic clove
1/3 cup unsalted roasted almonds
1 1/2 cups flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 pound zucchini (2 medium), halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise 1/8 inch thick
Pinch of crushed red pepper
water from cooking pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the farfalle and cook until it is al dente. Drain the farfalle. 

Meanwhile, in a food processor, pulse the garlic clove until it is finely chopped. Add the almonds and pulse until they are coarsely chopped. Add the parsley and 1/2 cup of the olive oil and process until the parsley is finely chopped. Add ¼ c of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and pulse just until the pesto is combined. Season with salt and pepper. 

In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil until shimmering. Add the zucchini and cook over moderately high heat until tender and browned in spots, about 8-10 minutes. Add the crushed red pepper and season with salt and pepper. 

Combine the pasta, zucchini, and pesto.  Add cooking liquid from pasta if the mixture is too dry.  Season with salt and pepper.  Serve and top with additional  Parmigiano-Reggiano.

MAKE AHEAD The pesto can be refrigerated overnight.

Grilled Vegetable Sandwich

Grilled Vegetable Sandwich w/ Herbed Mayo
Michelle (MMmom)

1 Japanese eggplant sliced lengthwise about 1/4" thick
1 small zucchini sliced lengthwise about 1/4" thick
1 small yellow squash sliced lengthwise about 1/4" thick
1 small red onion cut into rings
 2-3 Portobello caps
 extra virgin olive oil
salt & pepper
1 loaf crusty bread, cut into 1/2" slices
 red leaf lettuce
1 large roasted red pepper, sliced lengthwise   (I use jarred)
Herbed Mayo (below)

Heat a grill or grill pan.  Lay all the vegetables on a large sheet pan.  Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Flip all slices, drizzle with more olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Grill until the vegetables are tender and have grill marks.  When the vegetables are almost done, drizzle a little olive oil on the slices of bread and grill on both sides.

Slice the Portobellos.  Spread mayo the slices of bread. Assemble the sandwiches with the grilled vegetables, lettuce, and roasted red pepper.

Herbed Mayo
1 clove garlic
about 3/4 c mayonnaise
juice of 1/2 lemon
a few drops of hot sauce
2 Tbsp thyme leaves
2 Tbsp flat leaf parsley
2 Tbsp chopped chives

For a smooth spread, smash the garlic and add it, along with the rest of the ingredients to a food processor.  Pulse until smooth.

Or, mince the garlic and add to a bowl with the rest of the ingredients.  Stir to combine.

Best of made a few hours ahead.

Easy Cheesy Zucchini Bake

EASY CHEESY ZUCCHINI BAKE

kkb75703 via pinterest Kalynskitchen recipe adapted from a recipe by Karen Niessing in Penzeys Back to School 2011 Catalog, with suggestions from my sister Pam.

Ingredients:
2 medium-sized zucchini, cut in slices or half-moon slices
2 medium-sized yellow squash, cut in slices or half-moon slices
2-4 T chopped fresh basil (or even less, depending on how much you like the flavor of basil)
2 T thinly sliced green onion
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
3/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 cup + 1/2 cup low-fat white cheese (I used Pizza Cheese, which is a low-fat blend of Mozzarella, Provolone, Romano, and Parmesan)
1/2 cup coarsely grated Parmesan (I would use a little less if you only have the very finely grated Parmesan from a can)
salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Spray an 8" x 8" baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray. Wash the squash and cut in slices or half-moon slices. Wash basil, spin dry or dry with paper towels and finely chop. Slice green onions.

Combine the sliced squash, chopped basil, sliced green onions, dried thyme, garlic powder, and both kinds of cheese and stir together until the veggies are coated with cheese and the herbs are well-distributed. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper. Put the mixture in the baking dish and bake uncovered for about 25-30 minutes.

When the zucchini is nearly cooked through, take the casserole dish out of the oven and sprinkle over the remaining 1/2 cup of grated cheese. Put the dish back in the oven and bake 10-15 minutes longer, or until the cheese is melted and nicely browned and zucchini is fully cooked. Serve hot.

This kept well in the fridge overnight, but mine was gone the next day so I don't know if it would last longer than that!

Squash and Pasta Salad

Squash and Pasta Salad - This was delicious. It was so simple too. I used some shaved parmesan and I liked how that worked in this. Everything was just really fresh and good! The only change I made was I didn't steam the veggies. I just threw them in raw. I will make this again!

Squash and Pasta Salad
Sandy~~*~Sandy~*~

4 cups coarsely chopped yellow summer squash
4 cups rigatoni
2 cups cherry tomato halves
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup olive oil
2 large cloves of garlic, pressed
3 T balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Steam the squash in a vegetable steamer just until tender-crisp. Cool. Cook the rigatoni just until tender using the package directions; rinse with cold water and drain. Mix the squash, rigatoni, tomatoes and basil in a salad bowl. Drizzle a mixture of the olive oil, garlic, vinegar and salt and pepper over the salad. Add the cheese; toss lightly.

Turkey Squash Casserole

Turkey Squash Casserole
mrsrader86 via allrecipes.com

Prep Time: 20 Minutes Ready In: 55 Minutes
Submitted By: Mildred Sherrer Cook Time: 35 Minutes Servings: 6

"I combined two recipes to come up with this casserole, and it suits my family's tastes perfectly. Using ground turkey adds to the convenience.--Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas"

1 pound ground turkey
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cups sliced yellow summer squash
1 medium onion, chopped
2 eggs
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup crushed saltines

1. In a large skillet, cook turkey in oil over medium heat until no longer pink. Add the squash and onion. Cook until vegetables are crisp-tender; drain.
2. In a bowl, combine eggs, milk, cheese, butter, salt and pepper. Stir into the turkey mixture. Transfer to a greased 8-in. square baking dish. Sprinkle with the cracker crumbs. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until heated through

Mrsrader86’s notes: double recipe, but use only 1 lb meat. Use zucchini and yellow squash.

Summer Vegetable Kabobs

Summer Vegetable Kabobs
Amy - amylz
Makes 8 servings Southern Living, MAY 2008

12-inch-long wooden skewers
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup honey
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons pepper
1 teaspoon salt
16 cups assorted cut vegetables

1. Soak skewers in water 1 hour.
2. Whisk together wine and next 6 ingredients until well blended; reserve 1/4 cup. Combine remaining white wine mixture and vegetables in a large bowl. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. Remove vegetables from marinade, discarding marinade.
3. Preheat grill to 350° to 400° (medium-high). Thread vegetables onto skewers, and grill according to directions in Guidelines and Cook Times for Vegetable Kabobs below.
4. Transfer skewers to a platter. Remove vegetables from skewers, if desired. Serve with reserved 1/4 cup white wine mixture.

Guidelines and Cook Times for Vegetable Kabobs. Cut vegetables thick so they will stay on skewers as they cook. Thread one type of vegetable onto each skewer, threading so the cut sides lie flat on the cooking grate to ensure even cooking. Grill skewers, covered with grill lid, over 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat according to the times below. Your goal is to achieve tender, slightly charred vegetables.

Zucchini and squash. Prep: Cut into 3/4-inch rounds; thread onto skewers. Grill time: 7 to 10 minutes on each side or until tender.

Okra. Prep: Remove stems, and thread onto double skewers. Grill time: 6 to 8 minutes on each side or until tender.

Eggplant. Prep: Cut Japanese eggplant into 3/4-inch rounds. Cut Italian eggplant crosswise into quarters; cut into 3/4-inch slices. Thread onto skewers. Grill time: 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until tender.

Bell peppers. Prep: Cut into 1-inch-thick strips; thread skewers. Grill time: 4 to 5 minutes on each side or until tender.

Mushrooms. Prep: Trim stems, and thread onto skewers. Grill time: 3 to 5 minutes on each side or until tender.

Onions. Prep: Cut into wedges, and thread onto skewers. Grill time: 3 or 4 minutes on each side or until lightly charred.

Cherry tomatoes. Prep: Thread onto double skewers. Grill time: 1 to 3 minutes on each side or just until skins begin to split.

Marinated Grilled Vegetables
~rls2007~

1 cup cherry tomatoes - halved
1 small zucchini - cut into 1/4 inch rounds or semi-circles
1 small summer squash - cut into 1/4 inch rounds or semi-circles
1 orange bell pepper - cut into large chunks
2 cups button mushrooms - halved
1/2 yellow onion - cut into large chunks
1/2 bottle Newman's Own Balsamic Vinaigrette

1. Add all veggies to a gallon size ziplock bag and pour dressing over. Seal bag and toss to evenly coat vegetables.
2. Marinate for at least 2 hours, to overnight.
3. Pour vegetables onto a vegetable grill tray and grill for 15-20 minutes or until preferred doneness.
Renee's Notes: I have also used peapods, chopped up asparagus, broccoli florets, etc. You can switch up to your liking. Obviously use whatever dressing you prefer, but the balsamic is great with the tomatoes. I've also made this in a foil packet on the grill, or just in a casserole dish in the oven.

Ratatouille's Ratatouille

Ratatouille’s Ratatouille
As envisioned by Smitten Kitchen

1/2 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, very thinly sliced
1 cup tomato puree (such as Pomi)
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 small eggplant (my store sells these “Italian Eggplant” that are less than half the size of regular ones; it worked perfectly)
1 smallish zucchini
1 smallish yellow squash
1 longish red bell pepper
Few sprigs fresh thyme
Salt and pepper
Few tablespoons soft goat cheese, for serving

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Pour tomato puree into bottom of an oval baking dish, approximately 10 inches across the long way. Drop the sliced garlic cloves and chopped onion into the sauce, stir in one tablespoon of the olive oil and season the sauce generously with salt and pepper.

Trim the ends off the eggplant, zucchini and yellow squash. As carefully as you can, trim the ends off the red pepper and remove the core, leaving the edges intact, like a tube.

On a mandoline, adjustable-blade slicer or with a very sharp knife, cut the eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash and red pepper into very thin slices, approximately 1/16-inch thick.

Atop the tomato sauce, arrange slices of prepared vegetables concentrically from the outer edge to the inside of the baking dish, overlapping so just a smidgen of each flat surface is visible, alternating vegetables. You may have a handful leftover that do not fit.

Drizzle the remaining tablespoon olive oil over the vegetables and season them generously with salt and pepper. Remove the leaves from the thyme sprigs with your fingertips, running them down the stem. Sprinkle the fresh thyme over the dish.

Cover dish with a piece of parchment paper cut to fit inside. (Tricky, I know, but the hardest thing about this.)

Bake for approximately 45 to 55 minutes, until vegetables have released their liquid and are clearly cooked, but with some structure left so they are not totally limp. They should not be brown at the edges, and you should see that the tomato sauce is bubbling up around them.

Serve with a dab of soft goat cheese on top, alone, or with some crusty French bread, atop polenta, couscous, or your choice of grain.

Chicken Fiesta Soup

Chicken Fiesta Soup

4 boneless skinless cooked chicken breasts, shredded or diced

1 can (14 ½ ounces) stewed tomatoes, drained

2 cans (4 ounces) OR 1 can (7 ounces) of chopped green chilies

1 can (28 ounces) of enchilada sauce

1 can (14 ½ ounces) chicken broth

1 cup finely chopped onion

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 teaspoon of ground cumin

1 teaspoon of chili powder

¾ teaspoon of pepper

1 teaspoon salt

¼ cup of fresh cilantro

1 cup of frozen whole kernel corn

1 yellow squash, diced

1 zucchini, diced

Tortilla chips to crumble on top

Shredded cheddar cheese on top

Combine chicken, tomatoes, chilies, enchilada sauce, broth, onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, pepper, salt, cilantro, corn, squash and zucchini in crock-pot slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.

To serve, fill individual bowls with soup and garnish with crumbled tortilla chips and cheese!

Bunco Tortilla Soup

Bunco Tortilla Soup
Dottie (hokiesmom) via Tanya Lindley

3 cans chicken broth
1/4 tsp ground white pepper
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 med. green bell pepper, diced
1 small zucchini, sliced
1 med yellow squashe, sliced
8 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breast diced
1 can Rotel

Bring broth and tomatoes to a boil. Fold in chicken, onion, pepper, and both squash. Add pepper and cumin and cook until chicken is cooked through and vegetable are tender. Add juice from lime just before serving.

Garnish as wanted with cheese, tortilla strips, avocado, and green onion.

Please note: I tripled this recipe and added a can of diced tomatoes to help tone down the Rotel. Tonight when I made it I added the extra can of tomatoes and it was great!