• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Mexico In My Kitchen
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Cookbook
  • Español
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Cookbook
  • Español
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Cookbook
  • Español
×
You are here: Home » Recipes » Vegetarian

Mexican Steamed Squash

Published: Aug 29, 2016 · Updated: Oct 24, 2019 by Mely Martínez

JUMP TO RECIPE

If you are looking for s simple and healthy way to cook Mexican squash, take a look at this super easy recipe for steamed squash! You can have these green squashes ready to eat in just 8 minutes. Perfect to serve as a light dinner or as a side dish to your favorite Mexican meal!

Steamed squash on a white plate with crumbled queso fresco

Squash is one of my favorite vegetables to cook, especially Mexican zucchini squash! They are perfect for absorbing lots of flavors from different dishes and they are very delicious.

My family and I love to cook it with some heavy cream for a flavorful sauce or add them to stews and soups to bulk them up with healthy vegetables. You can also use them as the base and stuff them with meat and cheese- that is my son’s absolute favorite!

I personally love them steamed, like in this recipe. It’s so easy, you can prepare it in only a matter of minutes.

Different Types Of Squash in México

Squash has been a part of Mexican gastronomy since pre-Hispanic times, and ever since then has been planted alongside corn, beans, and peppers.

Out of all types of squash found in Mexico, there are two very popular varieties:

  • Creole squash
  • Italian squash

Both varieties of squash have a very mild and tasty flavor, with very tender skin!

The Creole squash (or “Calabaza Criolla”) is mostly known in the central states and has a small, round shape, measuring 2-3 inches in diameter. It also has a pale green color. Italian squash is found all over Mexico, has a pale green color, and is oblong in shape, measuring 3-6 inches.

Personally, I find these types of squash to be a little sweeter compared to the dark green zucchini or yellow squashes. If you find these Mexican squash varieties, I recommend you give them a try! Children love their tenderness and mild flavor.

My family really enjoys this quick-to-prepare side dish, and I hope your family does too!

Frequently Asked Questions About Steamed Squash

Before I share my vegetable recipe, here are a few questions I've been asked about homemade steamed squash.

What can I use if I can’t find Creole or Italian squash?

If you can’t find either one of these Mexican squashes, you can use any other type of tender zucchini.

How can I season the squash to make it taste good?

I went with some simple salt and pepper this time. But, sometimes, I will add some garlic and onion powder to really give it some delicious flavor. If I want it to be spicy, I will add in some red pepper flakes.

Mexican Steamed Squash

You only really need 4 ingredients and your favorite seasonings to make this recipe. Here is what you will need:

  • Mexican squash or zucchini (medium-sized)
  • Butter or olive oil
  • Water
  • Salt & pepper
  • Mexican queso fresco (crumbled)

Please note: For exact measurements of the ingredients listed above, scroll down to the recipe card located at the bottom of this post!

JUMP TO FULL INSTRUCTIONS

ingredients needed: zucchini squash, butter, queso fresco and salt + pepper

How To Make Steamed Squash: Step By Step Tutorial

This steamed squash recipe is so simple, you can make it in 4 easy steps.

  • Start out by cleaning the squash really well and slicing it evenly.
  • Place the sliced squash in a medium-size frying pan and add butter and water.
  • Turn the heat to medium-high and cover with a lid to let the veggies steam for 8 minutes.
  • Remove the pan from heat and let it rest for one more minute. Season with salt and pepper.

To serve, divide the steamed squash on serving plates and sprinkle with the crumbled cheese.

Enjoy!

step by step instructions with photos for making steamed squash

What To Serve With Steamed Mexican Squash

There are so many different recipes you can serve steamed squash. I like to make cook up a few fish fillets in garlic sauce and serve with some white rice for a healthy dinner during the week. Or, my husband with cook up some carne asada to eat with the squash and some spicy potatoes.

For a vegetarian meal, I’ll serve the steamed squash with a few other vegetables like sauteéd mushrooms with some black beans and rice!

Mexican steamed squash

More Authentic Mexican Recipes To Enjoy

If you enjoyed this recipe for steamed squash, take a look at some of these other authentic Mexican recipes:

  • Squash Blossom and Squash Soup
  • Squash Vine and Shoots Soup
  • Mexican Squash With Cheese
  • Cream Of Zucchini Soup
  • Squash Blossoms Quesadilla

I hope you make this steamed Mexican squash! If this recipe was of any help to you, come back to let me know your experience. Please leave us a comment done below and tell us all about it!

¡Buen provecho!

Mely

📖 Recipe

Mexican Steamed Squash

Mely Martínez
If you are looking for s simple and healthy way to cook Mexican squash, take a look at this super easy recipe for steamed squash! You can have these green squashes ready to eat in just 8 minutes. Perfect to serve as a light dinner or as a side dish to your favorite Mexican meal!
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Side dish
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4
Calories 41 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 medium size squash or zucchini cut into ⅓-in slices (about 12 oz.)
  • 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons water
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • ½ cup crumbled Mexican queso fresco

Instructions
 

  • Place sliced squash in a medium-size frying pan. Add butter and water.
  • Turn heat to medium-high and steam for 8 minutes.
  • Remove pan from heat and let it rest for one more minute. Season with salt and pepper. To serve, divide on serving plates and sprinkle with the crumbled cheese. Enjoy!

Notes

If you can’t find Mexican squash, you can use any other type of tender zucchini.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cupCalories: 41kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 33mgPotassium: 255mgSugar: 2gVitamin A: 285IUVitamin C: 17.6mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 0.4mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Vegetarian

  • Guava Jam Recipe
    Guava Jam Recipe
  • Mexican squash with cheese and tomato sauce
    Mexican Squash with Cheese
  • Purslane recipe
    Steamed Purslane Recipe
  • Creamy corn soup - 1
    Cream of corn soup Recipe

Reader Interactions

Comments

No Comments

Leave a Reply & Rating Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About me

Hi, I'm Mely Martinez, a former Mexican school teacher, home cook, and food blogger. I moved to the United States about ten years ago, after living in Mexico my whole life. Now I love to share home-style recipes for authentic Mexican food.
Read more...

Order your copy now!

Mexican Cookbook
The Mexican Home Kitchen Cookbook

Aguas Frescas

  • Two glasses with pitaya agua fresca next to fresh pitayas.
    Pitaya Agua Fresca
  • Two glasses with Mexican plum agua fresca.
    Mexican Plum Agua Fresca
  • Agua de tamarindo (Tamarind drink) served in a glass with ice.
    Agua de Tamarindo
  • Guava guayaba Drink
    Guava Agua Fresca Drink

Recipes for tamales

  • Vegan tamales served in a platter
    Vegan Tamales
  • Beef Tamales recipe
    Homemade Beef Tamales Recipe
  • Chocolate Tamal recipe - 1
    Chocolate Tamales
  • Savory Sweet Corn Tamales -1
    Sweet Corn Tamales With Pork

As featured in:

Footer

About

ABOUT
PRIVACY POLICY
USER SERVICE AGREEMENT
ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

Newsletter

SIGN UP FOR EMAILS AND UPDATES!

Follow / Contact

FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
PINTEREST
CONTACT

COPYRIGHT © 2023 · MEXICO IN MY KITCHEN