Quesadillas get an Indian fusion twist with a curry-spiced veggie filling!
curried spinach and zucchini quesadillas

Excuse me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t The Plan to make fun of Miley Cyrus for a little while, pity her, roll our eyes at her and then move on?

And not EMULATE HER by going for a run in Central Park in what can only be described as booty shorts but very very very much smaller. Plus a sports bra and a belly button ring.

Classy. NOT.

One should never be able to see anyone else’s pubic hair while running. Just saying.

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And if that wasn’t disgruntling enough.

Six bugs were inhaled during this little exercise session of mine.

Karmic payback for making fun of the Miley-wannabe in my head for five miles?

Or just bad luck that my inhales were timed perfectly with the little arthropods’ freefall towards my trachea?

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I can’t believe I had to use an s’ in that statement. That’s how many bugs I swallowed. Shivers.

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When life is all topsy turvy like this and there is no sense to be made from any of it…one should put Indian flavors in their quesadillas.

Because even though it doesn’t any sense at all. It totally works.

Spice, cheese, and veggies in every bite.

What could be more reasonable than that?

I also want to take a moment of silence to remember the tragic events of twelve years ago. On that fateful day, I watched the towers fall through the window of my 9th grade homeroom, mere blocks away from Ground Zero. And ran when I was told, because it was unclear what was coming next or whether we would even make it out of that day alive. It was one of the most real days of my entire life, and my whole outlook on the world was changed because of it. I will never forget. Not the sadness, not the fear, and not the outpouring of love and strength that came after it.   

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One year ago…Edamame Cakes with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Green Beans, Peach, Pluot, and Roasted Vegetable Salad

Two years ago…9/11/2001

Three years ago…Homemade Spaghetti with Heirloom Tomatoes, Capers, Anchovies and Chile

Four years ago…Tortellini Pesto Pasta Salad

Curried Spinach and Zucchini Quesadillas
 
Quesadillas get an Indian fusion twist with a curry-spiced veggie filling!
Yield: 4 quesadillas
Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 large shallots, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp curry powder
  • 2 medium zucchini, chopped
  • 1.5 lb mixed heirloom tomatoes, chopped
  • 4-6 (8-inch) tortillas
  • 4 slices light Havarti cheese
  • 2 cups baby spinach leaves
Instructions
  1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and saute, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes. Stir in the curry powder and cook for 30 seconds. Add in the zucchini. Cook, stirring for 4-5 minutes, or until tender. Add in the tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper.
  2. Spread a tortilla out on a work surface. Cover half of the tortilla with the zucchini-tomato filling. Top with a slice of cheese and a handful of baby spinach. Fold the tortilla over so that it covers the filling.
  3. Brush a large nonstick skillet with olive oil. Put the quesadilla in the pan and cook, 2 minutes on each side.
Notes
Adapted from McCormick
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 1 quesadilla

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70 Responses to Curried Spinach and Zucchini Quesadillas

  1. You’re girl after my own heart; I friggin’ LOVE quesadillas! These sound incredible, J!

  2. I appreciate that on a day like today, one that is filled with sorrow and remembrance, you manage to bring a lightness! If we can’t laugh and smile together, we’re screwed. 🙂 Also, you always manage to bring mouth-watering food. So we should probably be real-life friends so I can mooch your delicious treats.

  3. ramblingtart says:

    Oh man, I love quesadillas so much! I just need to make gluten free tortillas and I’ll be in business. 🙂

  4. Chewthefat says:

    Only a runner understands the ‘inhaling bugs’ problem. I’ve also had a bug fly in my eye and had to remove it by using a nearby car mirror. They should rate running trails for bugs as well as hills and scenery.

  5. gloria says:

    joanne I love quesadillas and these look stunning:)

  6. Daniela says:

    The Quesadillas look so appetizing and the picture of all the colorful veggies is amazing.
    And the best of all- healthy & light,no regrets:)

  7. So much goodness going on in these quesadillas! Sorry about the bugs on your run 🙁

  8. I love the curry in these quesadillas, although I do not love the idea of inhaling bugs while on a CP run. Poor you, yuck! What’s worse- the Miley wannabee or the bugs?
    Thanks for your moment of remembrance at the end of this post- it’s a tough day for a lot of people. A good friend of mine ships out to Afghanistan today and it’s a frustrating reminder how the world is still so different, 12 years later.

  9. Shannon says:

    oh man, i’ve had more run-ins with bugs cycling than running! these look absolutely fabulous, great way to pack in the veggies!

  10. You always come up with such brilliant dishes! I love the familiarity of this but how spiced and unique it is!

  11. Inhaling bugs while running is the worst indeed. I hate it so much :(( At least these quesadillas should have made up for it, they look fantastic! And I laughed so much at your Miley wannabe reference. Oh, I wish I could have seen her too 😉

    I’ll take a minute of silence as well, my heart goes out to all the people who lost someone that day.

  12. SallyBR says:

    I swallowed a few bugs myself back in my long distance running days… NO BUENO.

    Particularly if you are not carrying water with you in that particular run, which was often the case – we would drop bottles of water before our long runs in two spots of our path, but obviously each time a bug passed my throat, I would be far from the water. Murphy’s Law never ever fails

    Great quesadillas…. Love the way you got maximum browning without a hint of burning. I have troubles with that.

  13. And that is why I don’t run. Just kidding 🙂 Good thing we have yumminess like these ‘dillas to munch away those shiver-inducing memories! Love the curry.

  14. I love quesadillas and I bet those curry flavors in there are amazing.

  15. Jessie says:

    A wonderful tribute 🙂

    Bugs … oh, how I hate inhaling those. I try not to imagine whether it’s a mosquito I inhaled or not – gross. And the view while running … I think that would scorch the eyeballs :O

    These quesadillas look incredible and are much needed after a day of craziness!

  16. Joanne,
    One of my favorite posts of yours yet. The recipe, the photos, the Miley references (always good to have a point of reference in our lives like THAT,) and the especially fitting tribute to that horrible day 12 years ago. Thanks for another great piece.

  17. I’m instantly drawn to any recipe that mentions the word “curry” in its title before I even read it. Adding curry to a quesadilla is pretty ingenious if you ask me.

  18. veganmiam says:

    What a fantastic Indian fusion twist for the quesadillas! Do you know that quesadillas are one of my daily snacks to make during my trip in Spain? It’s easy and cheap to make compared to eating out.

  19. I am loving these quesadillas! I have some zucchini I have to use up, so perfect timing!

  20. Abby says:

    Less bugs, much less Miley and more Indian quesadillas!! Beautiful tribute to remembering this day, I was in my freshman college dorm room and turned on my roommates tv…I still can’t believe it.

  21. Adrian Fleur says:

    Hi Joanne! I just wanted to say (finally) that I adore your blog! I’ve been following for quite some time, but have never commented. I feel bad that I enjoy all your posts so much without reaching out. So here I am, grabbing for those quesadillas! =)

  22. I’m loving these ‘dillas!! Curry in anything makes me swoon! Ps: washing down those bugs with these was a great idea!!!

  23. Few moments of silence.
    You are such a funny writer…oo the bugs, not fun but love you for the flavors in the quesidilla.

  24. love these quesadillas! love your tribute to this day. i still remember…

  25. thanks for sharing this – i have been craving quesadillas for a while and this sounds perfect. 9/11 is always a hard day for all us of but as any other tragic events – i try to focus on the love and support that surrounds us. Have a good day dear

  26. Megan says:

    Love quesadillas. Love Indian food. Recipe for winning right here.

  27. Ashley says:

    I’m sorry to have laughed at your running experience, but wow. Just… wow. Ha!! Love this Indian spin on quesadillas, too. Yum!

  28. These quesadillas speak to my heart, in a way only things with curry can. It sounds like you’re having a pretty bad day — I say for every bug you inhale, you get a cookie. Sounds fair, right?

  29. Kate says:

    I swear, if I had a nickle for every time I’ve had to say “she’s running, naked!” about some outfits I’ve seen while out…well, let’s just say I wouldn’t be at work right now.

  30. Pam says:

    Wow.Quite the interesting fellow runner you saw and inhaling bugs is NEVER a good thing. I am certain these quesadillas made you feel much better!

  31. Love curry and quesadillas! This is exactly what I would love for the lunch!

  32. 1. This recipe looks awesome, I love veggie-filled quesadillas!
    2. I had no idea you were SO close–that’s amazing and terrifying, to be so close to such a memorable historical event. I was 200 miles away, and I felt too close. I can’t even imaging.

  33. It’s hard to believe it was 12 years ago Joanne.

  34. Love it!

    I use curry powder, cumin, and turmeric all the time. I am from The South but you would think I was raised in India!

  35. Veronica says:

    I actually forgot today was 9/11 until your reminder, so thanks for including that. And your quesadillas sound fabulous! Your booty shorts…not so much. 😉

  36. this miley thing has just got to stop…although this was amazing: http://www.buzzfeed.com/jenlewis/miley-cyrus-twerks-on-famous-paintings

    I pity you more for having to see miley wannabes running around than the bugs…protein right?

    Recipe looks delish but then again when do they not 😉

  37. These sound amazing! My Teens would LOVE these quesadillas for dinner , I guess I have to try them! Thanks Joanne!

  38. I love me some ‘dilla! Can we twerk together and then eat this?

  39. CCU says:

    Mmmm, quesadilla got a Joanne makeover 😀
    Yum!

    Cheers
    CCU

  40. Tara says:

    I ate something similar at a restaurant here in San Francisco and loved the flavor combination! Glad that you thought it was delicious as well, considering my best friend thought I was crazy.

    When I went to NYC a month ago, I was enjoying Central Park for the first time and maybe we saw the same person because this girl was running with what appeared to be an outfit for 110° weather!

  41. ick, that’s why I don’t run! 😉 Totally unique quesadilla, I’m loving it!

  42. I love all the colour in these quesadilla’s! Love this recipe!

  43. Amy says:

    Oh, Joanne. Only you can talk about pubic hair and get away with it! Love you, lady.

  44. I absolutely love this idea and can’t wait to try something similar soon! i’m thinking it’d be awesome with a yogurt sauce!

  45. debbie says:

    Oh I would love this for dinner right now. But since I’ve already eaten I will save another one of your great recipes for another time. I remember 9/11 very well and all the sadness I felt afterwards. NY will always be home to me. My cousin lives on Long Island and I remember her telling me for a month or so afterwards there were funerals all the time. I won’t every forget that day.

  46. Mary says:

    These look amazing!! lovely lovely ingredients – ohh I”ld like these now!
    Mary x

  47. Tracey says:

    I can’t remember the last time I made quesadillas, and that is just not ok. These need to be my lunch one day very, very soon!

  48. patsy says:

    You know what I love about reading what you are making? It’s that you remind me that changing up a spice or some other ingredient will take something ordinary to a whole ‘nother level of deliciousness!

  49. I can never eat enough quesadillas. NEVER.

  50. Lynn says:

    Could you send one of those down here, please???

  51. Hotly Spiced says:

    But I think there’s more trouble coming for Miley. I just saw a bit of a clip from her latest song and she performs it NAKED! Now you can be grateful that that jogger had a little something on. Yummy looking quesadillas xx

  52. Monet says:

    We eat quesadillas almost every week…and I think that this Indian version is inspired! One good thing about living in a small Colorado town: we don’t get to see many “Mileys” while out on our morning hike!

  53. Bahahahaha!! I agree! Pubic hair is a def no go area in public. Hehe no pubic in public.

  54. These sound great and those tomatoes look lovely.

  55. When one swallows bugs, one must eat quesadillas, fact.

  56. I love any type of quesadillas and the one loaded with veggies even more. My kids would love them. What a great healthy way to incorporate veggies!

  57. Victoria says:

    I am all for fusion cooking! Quesadillas are one of my go to meals especially for fast and healthy lunches (I hold back on the cheese so hold back on the guilt, haha). These look so fresh and tasty!

  58. Monica says:

    I want to pick up one of these quesadillas right now and have it for lunch!I love that char you’ve got going on it. Looks great.

  59. Wow, these colors! Gorgeous, as always!

  60. Megan says:

    I’m not a huge fan of curry powder, but I love everything else about this dish. Quesadillas are one of my weeknight go-tos.

  61. Yum! I love putting all sorts of flavors into quesadillas. I swear, everything is better in quesadilla form!

  62. I love quesadillas, I love the flavors you have in yours.

  63. No more running and bug swallowing please even if it does result in such a great recipe 🙂

  64. Quesadillas is one of my favorite snack/bar food. I love the idea of making this Indian fusion & vegetarian! Delicious Joanne. 🙂

  65. cquek says:

    Gorgeous photos! These sound so delicious and so wholesome – love it!

  66. Johanna GGG says:

    I aspire to make these sort of enchiladas – they look fantastic (and hurrah that I was on holidays and missed all the miley cyrus stuff)

  67. tigerfish says:

    Definitely enjoy this Indian fusion twist to quesadilla 🙂

  68. kelli pizarro says:

    And on top of all the bugs you ate, there was a hair on your spoon! :O So you ate hairy bugs. :/
    Can’t wait to try these quesadillas, though. They look wonderful!!
    <3

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