Calabacitas a la Parrilla con Crema de Elote (Grilled Courgettes with Corn Sauce)
Charred courgette halves piled with sweetcorn, lime and a spoonful of elote sauce, a smoky summer side dish.
Made with Elote sauce (street corn crema). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time25 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.89 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat a griddle pan or barbecue to high. Score the cut side of each courgette in a criss cross pattern and brush with half the oil. Season with salt.
- 2
Cook the courgettes cut side down for 4 to 5 minutes until charred, then turn and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until tender.
8 min 30 s - 3
While they cook, char the dry sweetcorn in a frying pan with the remaining oil for 6 to 8 minutes.
7 min - 4
Lay the courgettes on a platter, spoon over the corn and drizzle with your ready made elote sauce (see the base recipe).
- 5
Finish with the lime zest and juice, coriander and chilli flakes.
Tips
- Salt the courgettes only just before cooking, or they weep and steam on the grill.
- Scoring the cut side helps the heat in and gives more charred edges.
- Cook until just tender, soggy courgettes lose their bite.
- Serve them next to grilled meat, fish or rice and beans.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Cool leftovers within 1 hour and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. Eat cold or reheat until steaming hot. Do not freeze.
Questions
Can I roast them instead?
Yes. Roast at 220C (200C fan) for 20 to 25 minutes cut side up until golden, then top with the corn and sauce.
Can I use aubergine?
Yes. Cut aubergine into thick slices and cook for 5 to 6 minutes a side until completely soft.
What is the difference to calabacitas con elote?
The classic calabacitas is a stewed pan of courgette and corn. This version is grilled and finished with a creamy sauce.
More made with elote sauce (street corn crema)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.