Recipe - Calabacitas Con Queso (Zucchini With Cheese)

1 One half pound Zucchini, unpeeled; cut in
1/4" cubes
1 cup Water
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoon Vegetable oil
1 lg Garlic clove
1 cup Finely chopped onion
Three fourths pound Chopped tomato
2 cup Corn kernels
2 Poblano peppers; peeled and
chopped
5 ounce Evaporated milk
One half pound Shredded monterey jack
cheese

Substitutions: 1/3 cup heavy cream for 5 ounces of canned evaporated
milk; cheddar or colby for jack.
Approximations: 5 to 6 zucchini; 1 medium onion; 1 large or 2 small
tomatoes; 10ounce bag of corn, or 16ounce can. It is not necessary to be
so precise. It is a home cooking, seasonal cooking.

Place minced zucchini in medium saucepan with water, season lightly with
salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, over medium heat
until slightly tender but still crunchy, about 2 minutes. Set aside without
draining.

Heat oil in large skillet over high heat until hot but not quite smoking.
Reduce heat slightly; add garlic and onion and cook, stirring, until onion
is translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in tomato and cook until liquid
partly is evaporated, about 5 minutes. Stir in corn and poblanos and simmer
5 minutes.

Add undrained zucchinia and evaporated milk to cornchili mixture and bring
to a boil. Reduce heat to low, stir in minced or shredded cheese and cook
until the cheese melts. Serve hot (from 4 to 6 people).
Posted to MCRecipe Digest V1 #168

Date: Thu, 25 Jul 1996 16:41:17 0700 (PDT)

From: PatH phannema@wizard.ucr.edu
NOTES : 'Calabaza' is Spanish for squash. Is 'calabacitas" Spanish for
small squash? No. Rather, it is an affectionate name for a dish
made from zucchini, corn and tomatoes three vegetables now in
season.
Say's Orlando Ramirez (Riv PE culture reporter): "No two are
alike." Arizona cooks add lots of cheese and milk. Others flavor
it with cinnamon and mint. Other's add epazote, a Mexican herb
like oregano, that is hard to find stateside. "Agreement: it's a
vegetable stew. Team it with warmed tortillas and ice tea for a
complete meal."