Charred Corn and Zucchini Tacos Recipe

Updated August 30, 2018

Note: You can use your favorite jarred salsa, or make your own salsa verde. Rather than boiling the vegetables like that recipe calls for, I like to char mine under the broiler until tender, about 20 minutes.

You can make your own corn tortillas by following these instructions. Your mouth will thank you. To reheat tortillas, dip them in a bowl of cold water one at a time and place them on a dry skillet, preferably cast iron, over high heat. Cook until dry on the first side and lightly charred, about 30 seconds, then flip and cook until dry on the second side. Repeat with each tortilla, stacking them wrapped in clean kitchen towels to soften until ready to use.

Finally, check out this video for tips on how to prep an ear of corn.

It's Almost Corn Season! Charred Corn and Zucchini Tacos

Recipe Details

Charred Corn and Zucchini Tacos Recipe

Active 45 mins

Total 45 mins

Serves 3 to 4 servings

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

3 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 ears of fresh corn, kernels removed (about 3 cups corn kernels)
1 medium onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
1 jalapeño pepper, seeds and ribs removed, finely minced
2 cloves garlic, grated on a microplane grater
2 cups zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 medium)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
3 limes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
24 corn tortillas, lightly charred in a skillet and kept warm (see note)
Crumbled Cotija, Feta, or Romano cheese, Salsa and Mexican cream for serving

Directions

Heat half of oil in a 12-inch stainless steel skillet over high heat until smoking. Add corn, toss once or twice, and cook without moving until charred on one side, about 2 minutes. Toss corn, stir, and repeat until charred on second side, about 2 minutes longer. Continue tossing and charring until well charred all over, about 10 minutes total. Add onions and jalapeño and cook, tossing and stirring occasionally until softened, about 1 minute. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly until fragrant, about 1 minute longer. Transfer corn to a clean bowl. Rinse out pan (there might be corn sugars burnt onto the bottom, but they should come off easily with water).
Dry pan carefully and return to high heat. Add remaining oil oil and heat until smoking. Add zucchini and cook without moving until well charred, about 2 minutes. Toss zucchini and char on a second side, about 2 minutes longer. Toss and char once more, then transfer zucchini to bowl with corn. Fold in cilantro and the juice of one lime. Season mixture to taste with salt and black pepper. Slice remaining limes into 8 wedges each. Serve corn immediately with warm tortillas (two per taco), salsa, cheese, cream, and lime wedges.

This Recipe Appears In

It's Almost Corn Season! Charred Corn and Zucchini Tacos

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
509	Calories
21g	Fat
74g	Carbs
15g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3 to 4
Amount per serving
Calories	509
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 21g	27%
Saturated Fat 5g	25%
Cholesterol 20mg	7%
Sodium 800mg	35%
Total Carbohydrate 74g	27%
Dietary Fiber 10g	37%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 15g
Vitamin C 30mg	152%
Calcium 273mg	21%
Iron 2mg	12%
Potassium 809mg	17%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.