
Calabacitas a la mexicana
Courgettes, maïs et tomate sautés à l'oignon et au piment, avec du fromage frais fondant.
Portions
Ingrédients
Nutrition
Par portion
Étapes

Soften the aromatics
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and serrano chilli and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring often.
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- ½ white onion
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 serrano chilli
✅ C'est prêt quand : onion is soft and translucent, chilli smells fragrant

Add the corn
Keep the pan over medium heat, add the sweetcorn and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 200 g sweetcorn kernels
✅ C'est prêt quand : corn is bright yellow and just tender

Cook the courgettes
Add the courgettes, tomatoes, salt and oregano. Cover the pan and cook for 8–10 minutes over medium heat, stirring once or twice.
- 600 g courgettes
- 2 tomatoes
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp dried oregano
✅ C'est prêt quand : courgettes are tender but still hold their shape

Add the cheese and serve
Scatter the queso fresco over the top, cover the pan for 1 minute so the cheese softens, then serve as a side dish or spooned into warm tortillas.
- 80 g queso fresco

Soften the aromatics
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and serrano chilli and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring often.
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- ½ white onion
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 serrano chilli
✅ C'est prêt quand : onion is soft and translucent, chilli smells fragrant

Add the corn
Keep the pan over medium heat, add the sweetcorn and cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 200 g sweetcorn kernels
✅ C'est prêt quand : corn is bright yellow and just tender

Cook the courgettes
Add the courgettes, tomatoes, salt and oregano. Cover the pan and cook for 8–10 minutes over medium heat, stirring once or twice.
- 600 g courgettes
- 2 tomatoes
- ¾ tsp salt
- ½ tsp dried oregano
✅ C'est prêt quand : courgettes are tender but still hold their shape

Add the cheese and serve
Scatter the queso fresco over the top, cover the pan for 1 minute so the cheese softens, then serve as a side dish or spooned into warm tortillas.
- 80 g queso fresco
The Story Behind the Dish
Squash and corn were two of the 'three sisters' (with beans) grown together in the milpa, the traditional Mesoamerican field. Calabacitas brings together the same ancient ingredients with tomato, onion and cheese.
It's one of the most common vegetable sides in Mexican homes and fondas.
⭐ Why It's Famous
Simple, colourful and ready in 20 minutes, it makes everyday vegetables taste Mexican.
💡 Fun Fact
Mexican calabacitas are a pale, round-ish variety called calabacita criolla, sweeter and more tender than the dark green courgettes common in Europe.
Central Mexico
19.43°N, -99.13°W
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