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    Home » Recipes » Seafood » Camarones con Calabacitas

    Camarones con Calabacitas

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted September 1, 2020 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Camarones con Calabacitas (Shrimp with Mexican Squash) is an easy and tasty weeknight meal. This recipe is so versatile and ready in under 30 minutes!
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Shrimp with calabacitas served on a white plate and next to a salad.

    Shrimp with calabacitas served on a white plate and next to a salad.

    Camarones con Calabacitas (Shrimp with Mexican Squash) is a dish I make ALL THE TIME. Mainly because it’s so versatile.

    I will make a big pot of Calabacitas a la Mexicana, and later in the week, I add chicken, fish, or shrimp for a quick meal.

    This shrimp version is so easy and so yummy. It’s perfect for busy weeknights.

    More Mexican Shrimp Recipes:


    Camarones a la Diabla
    Camarones Rancheros
    Shrimp Chile Rellenos
    Shrimp Pozole

    Ingredients for camarones con calabacitas laid out on a wooden surface.

    These are all the ingredients you will need.

    Calabacitas are a type of Mexican squash. They have thinner skin than Italian Zucchini and are slightly sweeter.

    You’ll see them in recipes like Calabacitas con Elote y Rajas and Chicken in Guajillo Sauce.

    If you can’t find them at your local grocery, you can use regular zucchini.

    Size Shrimp: These are large. However, you can use any Jumbo or Medium sized shrimp too, and simply adjust the cooking time.

    Calabacitas, tomatoes, and onions cooking in a skillet.

    How to Make It

    • Heat oil in a large skillet.
    • Add the calabacitas. Cook for 5 minutes.
    • Add the tomatoes, onion, garlic, salt, and oregano.
    • Cook for 5 minutes.

    Great Ideas:


    From here, the options are endless. Add chicken, beef, pork, or as in this case, shrimp.

    Another idea: Add 8 cups of chicken broth to make a soup.

    The jalapeno will give it a bit of a kick, and if you like it spicy, you can use a serrano pepper instead or use 2 jalapenos.

    Raw shrimp cooking with the calabacitas in a skillet.

    • Add the shrimp and lime juice.
    • Cook until the shrimp are pink. About 4-5 minutes.

    For some freshness, add chopped cilantro.

    Larger shrimp will require longer cooking time. Smaller shrimp will require less cooking time.

    Use already deveined shrimp for faster cooking!

    Pro Tip:

    Do not overcook the shrimp. Once the shrimp turn pink, turn the heat off. This will help in preventing them from turning rubbery.

    Cooked shrimp and calabacitas in a skillet.

    This recipe is paleo, gluten free, and low carb. YAY! Load it up with more veggies.

    Here are some ideas of other veggies you can add:
    Spinach
    Broccoli
    Kale
    Corn
    Green Beans
    Peas
    Carrots

    Cheese also works great in this dish. Such as panela cheese, Monterey Jack, Chihuahua, queso fresco, or grate some Cotija for saltiness.

    Do you see how versatile this dish is?!

    Shrimp with calabacitas served on a white plate and next to a salad.

    How Long Does It Last?

    In the fridge, Camarones con Calabacitas will last up to 5 days. Freezing it will guarantee rubbery shrimp, but it can be done. In the freezer, this dish will last up to 5 months.

    What to serve with it

    Refried beans
    Mexican White Rice

    Salad
    Sour cream

    Camarones con Calabacitas is a yummy shrimp dish that makes cooking on weeknights EASY and DELICIOUS.

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    Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!

    Shrimp with calabacitas served on a white plate and next to a salad.

    Camarones con Calabacitas

    Camarones con Calabacitas (Shrimp with Mexican Squash) is an easy and tasty weeknight meal. This recipe is so versatile and ready in under 30 minutes!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 8 minutes
    Cook Time: 16 minutes
    Total Time: 24 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 213kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 2 calabacitas diced
    • 2 tomatoes diced
    • 1/4 onion diced
    • 1 jalapeno finely diced
    • 1 garlic clove finely diced
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • pinch ground oregano
    • 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
    • 1 lime juiced

    Instructions

    • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet.
    • Add the calabacitas.
    • Cook for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
    • Add the tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, garlic, salt, and oregano.
    • Stir to combine.
    • Cook for 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
    • Add the shrimp and lime.
    • Stir and cook until shrimp are pink.
    • About 5 minutes.
    • Remove from heat immediately and serve.

    Notes

    Buy shrimp that is already deveined for faster cooking. 
    PRO TIP:
    Do not overcook the shrimp. Once the shrimp turn pink, turn the heat off. This will help in preventing them from turning rubbery.
    HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
    In the fridge, Camarones con Calabacitas will last up to 5 days. Freezing it will guarantee rubbery shrimp, but it can be done. In the freezer, this dish will last up to 5 months.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 213kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 286mg | Sodium: 1184mg | Potassium: 519mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 746IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 192mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Filed Under: Seafood

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer

      September 3, 2020 at 7:51 pm

      5 stars
      Oh yum! This looks so scrumptious and perfect for a light lunch! I’ll definitely keep an eye out for calabacites!Thank you so much for sharing!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        August 23, 2022 at 11:03 am

        Happy to hear that. Thanks for your comment.

        Reply
    2. Candice

      September 4, 2020 at 8:32 am

      5 stars
      What a dish! And that squash is a new ingredient for me that I will be using in my cooking regularly. This one was a winner with everyone and can’t wait to make it again… it was so fast! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        November 18, 2022 at 4:38 pm

        So glad you liked this recipe!

        Reply
    3. Marisa F. Stewart

      September 4, 2020 at 12:54 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve never heard of calabacitas so I stopped by our Mexican grocery store. They had them so I had to make this recipe. We loved it — I’m now craving more dishes with the calbacitas. I could believe how quickly it all came together and how easy it was. One thing I did add, just a teense – Tajin. We love that stuff. Such a good seasoning.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        September 7, 2020 at 3:17 pm

        So good right? We love this one too

        Reply
    4. Ramona

      September 6, 2020 at 2:43 am

      5 stars
      This Camarones con Calabacitas looks so delicious and healthy! Ive never made this before, but now im drooling and craving for some. I need to try this dish out for me and my family today! Its so colourful and i also love your pictures. Thank you for sharing this recipe, I cant wait to try it out.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        September 7, 2020 at 3:10 pm

        Colorful and delicious! Hope you try it.

        Reply
    5. Monica

      September 6, 2020 at 5:41 pm

      5 stars
      This looks absolutely amazing, and you’re totally right – I love how versatile it is. I haven’t cooked with calabacitas before but it’s so enticing!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        September 7, 2020 at 3:01 pm

        This recipe is delicious. Hope you try it!

        Reply
    6. Daniela

      September 6, 2020 at 9:55 pm

      Such a tasty and easy to make shrimp dish! Love the fresh tomatoes in there and jalapeño too!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        September 7, 2020 at 2:55 pm

        It’s easy and delicious! Hope you try it.

        Reply
    7. Sam

      September 6, 2020 at 11:25 pm

      Yum, this shrimp looks amazing. I love that it is so quick and easy to make too. Perfect for a busy weeknight. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        September 7, 2020 at 2:55 pm

        Glad you liked it. Hope you try it!

        Reply
      • Michelle

        September 22, 2020 at 5:47 pm

        5 stars
        I’ve only made a few of Mama Maggies recipes but I have always been satisfied. Today I made Camarones con Calabacitas and it was delicious. Thank you Maggie!

        Reply
        • Maggie U

          September 23, 2020 at 5:43 pm

          So glad you enjoyed my recipes Michelle!

    8. Jamie

      September 6, 2020 at 11:56 pm

      5 stars
      I just happened to have some shrimp and squash in my fridge so decided to make this recipe. It was so delicious and my whole family loved it. Next time I think I’ll make double so we can enjoy leftovers!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        September 7, 2020 at 2:54 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this recipe Jamie! It’s delicious.

        Reply
    9. Betty

      January 1, 2021 at 1:11 pm

      5 stars
      Yummmm

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        January 5, 2021 at 1:34 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this!

        Reply

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