Zucchini Stuffed with Ham and Cheese (Calabacitas Rellenas de Jamón con Queso)

This easy mexican recipe is most often served in Mexico as an appetizer; and there are many different ways to prepare calabacitas rellenas or stuffed zucchini, just like there are many more kinds of squash (the zucchini are part of the squash family) available at mexican markets than in the US or Canada. This recipe illustrates how to make them with ham, but in this case the ham can easily be substituted with bacon; you just have to cook it ahead of time. An easy mexican recipe for birria you can serve as main course to follow and complement this appetizer...




Mexican Stuffed Zucchini

Recipe for Mexican Style Stuffed Zucchini:

Ingredients for 4 people:

* 4 big zucchinis
* 4 thick slices of ham, diced
* 1/2 cup Cream Cheese
* Enough Orange Cheddar Cheese
* 1 red tomato
* 1 cup water
* 1 tbsp. butter
* 1 teaspoon cumin
* a few fresh cilantro leaves
* Salt
* Pepper

Preparation:

1) Wash the zucchinis and cut their ends. Bring a pot filled with water to a boil, and when it starts boiling, put the whole zucchinis in. Leave the zucchini in boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes, until tender.

2) Once you have boiled them 5 to 7 minutes, you will notice that the zucchini is cooked but not too tender. It's time to turn off the heat, and take the zucchini out of the water; let them cool down until you can touch them without burning yourself. Split the zucchinis lengthwise and using a spoon remove the inside flesh, which you will put in a bowl ready for the next step.

3) Melt the butter in your favorite skillet, and pour the zucchini flesh in; then add the diced tomatoes, the diced ham, cumin, salt & pepper and the cream cheese. Reduce heat, and mix constantly until the cheese has melted completely. While the mixture is still hot, spoon it back to fill the zucchini halves.

4) Sprinkle some grated orange cheddar cheese on top of each zucchini, arranged them on a baking sheet then sent them to the oven set to broil; and broiled until the cheese on top had melted and made a nice crust...

Careful with broiling, it just takes a few minutes; pull out of the oven, sprinkle a few cilantro leaves to decorate and serve your stuffed zucchini with more slices of tomato...




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