Summer squash sauteed with green chile, sweet corn, onion and a hint of cream. The New Mexican summer side dish, peak June through August at the farmers markets.
Calabacitas is the Spanish word for little squash. The dish has Pueblo Indian roots in the Three Sisters tradition (corn, beans, squash). Spanish colonists added pork or cream variations. Today it appears as the seasonal side at Sadie's, El Pinto and Mary and Tito's, peaking when summer squash hits the Albuquerque farmers markets in June.
4 editor picks for Calabacitas in Albuquerque, ranked by editorial score. All Albuquerque signature dishes · Calabacitas across every city.
Mary and Tito's Cafe ★ 4.7
north-valley · 2711 4th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107
Mary and Tito's Cafe on Fourth Street is the James Beard America's Classic 2010 winner for its carne adovada, family run on the North Fourth Street strip.
Sadie's of New Mexico ★ 4.6
north-valley · 6230 Fourth Street NW, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM 87107
Sadie's of New Mexico on Fourth Street in the North Valley is the heritage New Mexican family room since 1954, with stuffed sopaipillas and the bottled.
El Pinto ★ 4.5
north-valley · 10500 4th Street NW, Albuquerque, NM 87114
El Pinto on Fourth Street NW in Albuquerque's North Valley is the ten acre mission compound serving New Mexican since 1962, with red and green chile.
Pueblo Harvest Cafe ★ 4.4
downtown · Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
Pueblo Harvest Cafe at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on 12th Street is the modern Pueblo Indian room with buffalo posole, frybread and blue corn dishes.