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15-Minute Charred Calabacita & Chorizo Fundido (The Saturday Grazing Skillet)

15-Minute Charred Calabacita & Chorizo Fundido (The Saturday Grazing Skillet)

Saturday afternoon grazing requires a high-payoff, low-effort miracle. We are using the smoky rendered fat from crisp Mexican chorizo to hard-char summer squash so it stays sweet and toothsome, never mushy. Blanket the whole thing in melting Oaxaca cheese, grab some sturdy chips, and you have just won the weekend.

María “Mari” Santiago
María “Mari” Santiago
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
4
easy
appetizersnack
saturday-grazing15-minuteone-skilletqueso-fundido+1

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Timeline

16 minutes
0m5m10m15m
Crisp the Chorizo
5m
Reserve Chorizo
Char the Squash
5m
Melt the Cheese
4m
Garnish and Serve

Ingredients

  • 8 oz Mexican chorizo(Casings removed if bought in links)
  • 2 medium summer squash(Calabacitas or zucchini, diced into 1/2-inch cubes)
  • 1/2 medium white onion(Finely diced)
  • 2 cups Oaxaca cheese(Shredded or pulled into thin strings (Bodega Mode: use Monterey Jack or low-moisture mozzarella))
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro(Roughly chopped)
  • 1 whole lime(Cut into wedges)
  • 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños(Optional, but highly recommended for acid and heat)
  • 1 bag sturdy tortilla chips(For scooping)
  • 1 tbsp chorizo fat(Reserved from cooking chorizo)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Place a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 8 oz Mexican chorizo and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until the fat renders out and the meat gets those crispy, dark-red edges.

    5 min

    Tip: Don't drain all the fat right away! That bright red oil is pure flavor logic—it is going to make our squash taste incredible.

  2. 2

    Using a slotted spoon, transfer the crispy chorizo to a paper towel-lined plate. Pour off all but about 1 tbsp chorizo fat from the skillet. Keep the heat at medium-high.

    1 min

    Tip: If your chorizo was super lean and you don't have enough fat left, add a splash of neutral oil.

  3. 3

    Drop the 2 medium summer squash and 1/2 medium white onion into the hot fat in an even layer. Now, do nothing. Do not stir for at least 2 minutes. We want a real, aggressive char, not a sad steam. Once they have dark spots, toss and cook for another 2-3 minutes until just tender but still snappy.

    5 min

    Tip: Squash holds a lot of water. Moving it too much in the pan is how you get mush. Trust the process and let the heat do its job.

  4. 4

    Turn the heat to low. Stir the reserved crispy chorizo back into the skillet with the squash. Evenly blanket everything with the 2 cups Oaxaca cheese. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil until the cheese is completely melted and bubbling.

    4 min

    Tip: If you want those beautiful browned cheese blisters, skip the lid and pop the skillet under your oven's broiler for 2 minutes instead.

  5. 5

    Remove from heat. Scatter the 1/4 cup fresh cilantro and 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños over the top. Squeeze over the juice from 1 whole lime—this acid wakes the whole rich dish up. Serve immediately right out of the skillet with your 1 bag sturdy tortilla chips.

    1 min

    Tip: Eat this while it is hot and stretchy. We are not suffering for a Saturday snack, and nobody likes cold cheese.

Chef's Notes

Bodega Mode: If you can't find Oaxaca cheese, a block of low-moisture mozzarella mixed with a little Monterey Jack does the trick beautifully. The key here is the texture contrast between the rich, creamy cheese, the crunchy charred squash, and the bright, sharp bite of the lime and jalapeños.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does 15-Minute Charred Calabacita & Chorizo Fundido (The Saturday Grazing Skillet) take to make?

15-Minute Charred Calabacita & Chorizo Fundido (The Saturday Grazing Skillet) takes about 25 minutes total. That includes 10 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 4 servings.

What skill level is needed for 15-Minute Charred Calabacita & Chorizo Fundido (The Saturday Grazing Skillet)?

This recipe is rated easy — it's beginner-friendly and straightforward.

What ingredients do I need for 15-Minute Charred Calabacita & Chorizo Fundido (The Saturday Grazing Skillet)?

The main ingredients are: Mexican chorizo, summer squash, white onion, Oaxaca cheese, fresh cilantro, lime, pickled jalapeños, sturdy tortilla chips, chorizo fat.

What type of meal is 15-Minute Charred Calabacita & Chorizo Fundido (The Saturday Grazing Skillet)?

15-Minute Charred Calabacita & Chorizo Fundido (The Saturday Grazing Skillet) is categorized as: appetizer, snack.