Published . Last updated By Elizabeth Lindemann   /  This post may contain affiliate links.
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4.97 from 232 votes
It’s a good thing I live in Texas, because I loveeee Mexican food. Is there anything better than enchiladassmothered in awesome sauceand lots of melty cheese? Answer: no.
But then, there are the sides. Ever since doing the Whole30 in the beginning of this year, I’ve been trying to stick to a Paleo(ish)diet. And unfortunately, the traditional rice and beans that so frequently are served with Mexican food do not fit the bill.
I needed a low-carb, veggie based side to serve with Mexican food.
This Roasted Mexican Inspired Zucchini blows away any Spanish rice I’ve ever had. It’s bursting with flavor- spicy, savory, and slightly smoky.
And it’s healthy, low carb, Paleo (if you don’t include the cheese), and a great alternative as a side to traditional rice and beans.
I want to talk about this cotija cheesefor a minute, and cheese in general.
The Paleo diet does not allow for grains, legumes, dairy, or refined sugars. This, sadly, means no cheese. That is- if you are strict about it.
But doing the Whole30 taught me to recognize exactly which foods caused me distress- whether it was through indigestion/bloating, weight gain, mood swings, or decreased energy.
I found that the foods that were higher in carbs- grains, sugars, and legumes- affected me much more than dairy.
So while I am trying my hardest to be grain free (for the most part), I am pretty relaxed on the cheese front. I don’t want to imagine my life without cheese. It’s too sad to think about.
So, inspired by Mexican street corn(which, by the way, is absolutely delicious), I sprinkled a moderate helping of cotija cheese on top of this roasted zucchini.
Don’t get me wrong: the zucchini is delicious on its own.
But the salty crumbly farmers cheese crumbled on top of it gives it an extra zing.
If you’ve never had cotija cheese, be prepared for your life to change. It’s like feta but… (dare I say it?)…BETTER. My Greek ancestors are probably rolling in their graves right now.
It’s a bit dryer and harder than feta, which makes it crumble much easier. It’s salty and has a similar simple taste tofeta, but the flavor seems more concentrated.
Kind of like feta and parmesan had a baby. It’s inexpensive, lasts forever in the fridge (seriously- like a month or more), and a little goes a long way.
Put it on tacos, put it on veggies, put it in a salad, or eat it in slices while you are waiting for this zucchini to roast(ahem).
So do yourself a favor: next time you make your favorite Mexican meal(if you need a starting place, try theseQuick and Easy Black Beans and Rice), make this zucchini to go on the side.
Other low-carb Mexican-Inspired Recipes:
- Taco Stuffed Mini Peppers
- Slow Cooker Carnitas Tacos
- Mexican Pulled Chicken
Cotija cheese or not, it will be a delicious complement to whatever you choose to make!
Also check out this Greek Roasted Cauliflower, which is similar – topped with feta cheese, fresh herbs, and lemon juice.
Roasted Mexican Zucchini
This roasted zucchini is a low-carb side to any Mexican dish- a great alternative to rice and beans! Easy to make and and jam-packed with flavor similar to Mexican street corn.
4.97 from 232 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 164kcal
Author: Elizabeth Lindemann
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3-4 medium zucchini diced
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- kosher salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 4 oz. cotija cheese crumbled
- juice of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, mix the diced zucchini, olive oil (2 tablespoons), chili powder (1/2 teaspoon), garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon), cayenne pepper (1/8 teaspoon), and salt/pepper until well coated.
Spread evenly on baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes, or until zucchini is browned.
Serve sprinkled with lime juice, cotija cheese, and chopped fresh cilantro.
Video
Notes
- Other ingredients and veggies, such as corn, chickpeas, summer squash, etc. can be added by roasting with the zucchini.
- Make it vegan: omit the cotija cheese or substitute with a vegan-friendly alternative.
- The provided nutrition information does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. Feel free to calculate it yourself using thiscalculatoror by adding the recipe toYummly.
Nutrition
Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 333mg | Potassium: 401mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 527IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 163mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition Information Disclaimer
The provided nutrition information is my best estimate and reflects one serving of the recipe (total servings indicated at top of recipe card). It does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. I use an automatic API to calculate this information. Feel free to calculate it yourself using one of these tools:
My Fitness Pal Recipe Nutrition Calculator
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