July 21, 2015
Wow – we’ve been getting the summer whammy – hot and humid. Relentlessly hot and humid. I keep thinking of the witch in The Wizard of Oz, screaming, “I’m melting! Oh, my wickedness!”.
Nobody really wants to turn on the oven in weather like this. So, here’s a quick and simple recipe that doesn’t require you to turn it on. The filling can be made ahead and refrigerated. Just reheat to serve. Get out of the kitchen fast!
SUMMER VEGGIE TACOS
2 TBS extra-virgin olive oil
1 small red or white onion, finely chopped
Salt to taste
2 garlic cloves, minced
¾ lb tomatoes, peeled and diced
1 ½ lbs summer squash, cut in small dice (about 4 1/4 cups)
1 chile, minced (can be anything: jalapeno, serrano, poblano – you decide how hot you want it)
1 can white beans, pinto beans or black beans, drained and rinsed
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (or more to taste)
12 to 14 corn tortillas
1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
Salsa – any kind you like
1. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat and add the chopped onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes, and add a generous pinch of salt and the garlic. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds, then add the tomatoes. Cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes cook down slightly, about 10 minutes.
2. Stir in the squash, minced chile, and salt to taste. Cook, stirring, until the squash is tender but not mushy, about 8 minutes.
3. Stir in the beans and cilantro and heat through. Taste and adjust seasonings.
4. Heat the tortillas and fill with the squash mixture and crumbled goat cheese. Serve with the salsa of your choice.
*You can make the filling a day in advance and refrigerate it overnight. Reheat it gently in a skillet.
HELPFUL HINT: To peel tomatoes, drop them into boiling water for 1 minute. Then, put them into cold water. The skins will slip right off.
ANOTHER HELPFUL HINT: You can use a toaster oven to warm the tortillas, or even wrap them in foil and put them on a burner with the lowest possible heat. Watch carefully, so they don’t burn!
Drink lots of fluids, stay indoors in the air conditioning if you can, and relax. Have a delicious week!
Best,
Judi