Garlic Onion Pumpkin Calabaza Side Dish Recipes

MASHED PUMPKIN

Steps:

• Heat oil in a saucepan and fry onions until translucent.
• Add garlic and fry until light golden brown.
• Add cumin seeds and fry until they begin to pop and release their aroma. (About 30 seconds).
• Mix in the pumpkin and saute for 1-2 minutes.
• Add 1/4 cup water. Cover and lower heat to med low. Cook for about 10 minutes or until tender.
• Remove lid and mash pumpkin with fork or potato smasher thingy:-)until smooth.
• Add salt if using. If water is not yet absorbed, cover and simmer until water is absorbed.
• Remove pot from heat and serve as a side dish with rice or roti.

CALABAZA CON POLLO (CALABAZA SQUASH AND CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil; add chicken thighs. Continue to boil until no longer pink in the centers and juices run clear, 15 to 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Drain, reserving 2 cups broth. Shred or chop chicken and set aside.
• Mix salt, garlic powder, cumin, and black pepper together in a bowl and set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add calabaza squash, zucchini, yellow squash, tomato, and onion. Cook and stir until tender, about 10 minutes. Add corn, followed by tomato sauce, dry spice mixture, and chicken. Pour in reserved 2 cups chicken broth. Mix well.
• Cover the pan and let simmer over medium heat, 20 to 30 minutes.

GARLIC & ONION PUMPKIN / CALABAZA SIDE DISH

Steps:

• Take off the seeds but leave on the shell and cut into extra large cubes. The shell will be easier to remove once it's cooked, or it can be left on as well, since it becomes as soft as the pumpkin (but I like it off).
• Steam or boil the pumpkin until cooked. As a variation, if you're steaming carrots as part of the menu, you might want to reuse that same water to boil the pumpkin for an added touch of sweetness.
• Chop the onions and the garlic and then saute them in the oil until cooked, but not caramelized. Top the pumpkin with the onions, garlic and some of the oil (though you don't have to use all of it, just enough to drizzle over each pumpkin cube.).
• You can serve warm or chilled.

CHICKPEA AND CALABAZA STEW

Steps:

• Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Add oil. Saute onion, bell peppers, and garlic in the hot oil until soft, about 5 minutes. Add calabaza, potato, and tomato. Pour in water; stir in paprika and ginger.
• Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions; set timer for 30 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
• Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer's instructions, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Scoop out approximately 1 cup of the solids and process in a food processor or mash. Mix back into the cooker to thicken the stew. Serve hot and garnish with parsley.