Calabacitas is a traditional Mexican side dish made of stir-fried squash and peppers. It can also make a hearty entree when served over rice or wrapped in a tortilla. Many people today make calabacitas using zucchini as the main ingredient, but it was originally made using Mexican grey squash, a summer squash that is very similar to zucchini. Calabacitas is usually made with some type of dairy – either cheese on top, or cheese or cream mixed in it – so I made a cashew cheese to make our version vegan-friendly and original. I also topped it with sliced avocado and a drizzle of Jalapeno sauce.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RuMMEUnwf4
Ingredients
- 3 grey squash or zucchini
- 1 cup chopped bell peppers
- 1/3 cup diced red onion
- 2 cloves diced garlic
- 1 tsbp vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vegan margarine
- Fresh squeezed lemon juice
- Jalapeno sauce – optional
- Sliced avocado – optional
- 1 cup soaked cashews
- 1/4 cup cashew milk
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp vegan mayo
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vegan margarine
- Dash of garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Melt vegan margarine in a pan with 1 tbsp of vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in onions and garlic. Let simmer for 10 min.
- Stir in squash, peppers, and any other veggies you like, and saute for another 20 to 25 min, stirring occasionally.
- While the veggies are cooking, start preparing the cashew cheese. Add cashews, cashew milk, nutritional yeast, and vegan mayo to a food processor. Squeeze in about 2 tsp of lemon juice, then give it a dash of garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste. Process on high for several minutes, until the mixture forms a thick cream.
- Pour the cream in a saucepan. Add 1 tsp of vegan margarine and a splash of cashew milk. Cover and simmer on low for a few min. Give it a good stir, then cover and simmer again for 2 to 3 min.
- Scoop a few spoonfuls of cashew cheese into the stir-fry and mix thoroughly with the veggies. Plate the veggies, then scoop a large dollop of cheese onto the center. Top with sliced avocado, a drizzle of jalapeno sauce, and salt and pepper to taste.
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