Description
Mexican Pumpkin Seed Salsa brings bold, nutty flavors dancing across your palate with authentic regional charm. Crisp ingredients and simple preparation invite home cooks to explore traditional Mexican culinary magic that sparks genuine connection at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 ml) hulled pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- 4 medium tomatillos, husked and rinsed
- 1 jalapeno or serrano pepper (stem removed; seeds optional for less heat)
Aromatics and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 small garlic clove
- ¼ cup (60 ml) chopped white onion
- ½ cup (120 ml) fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lime juice
Seasoning:
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt (or to taste)
- ½ to ¾ cup (120–180 ml) water (adjust for texture)
Instructions
- Place a dry skillet over medium heat and carefully distribute pumpkin seeds across the surface. Gently agitate the seeds continuously, allowing them to warm and gradually puff with a delicate popping sound. Monitor closely to prevent scorching, removing the skillet once seeds transform to a golden hue and release a nutty fragrance.
- Evaluate tomatillo preparation techniques: roasting beneath broiler flames intensifies smoky undertones, while boiling softens their sharp profile. Select your preferred method to moderate the ingredient’s inherent tanginess.
- Transfer toasted pumpkin seeds into blender chamber, accompanied by tomatillos, pepper, garlic cloves, chopped onion, fresh cilantro sprigs, kosher salt, and freshly squeezed lime juice. Initiate blending process, gradually introducing water to achieve a silky, pourable consistency.
- Pause blending intermittently to scrape down container sides, ensuring comprehensive ingredient integration. Taste and calibrate seasoning, adding additional salt or citrus notes as desired.
- Once texture reaches desired smoothness, transfer salsa to serving vessel. Allow mixture to rest momentarily, permitting flavors to harmonize and meld together before presenting.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting pepper types, from mild poblano to fiery habanero, letting you control the salsa’s spiciness.
- Select fresh, firm tomatillos with tight, papery husks to ensure the best flavor and texture in your salsa.
- Toast pumpkin seeds carefully, watching for a golden color and listening for popping sounds to prevent burning and develop a rich, nutty flavor.
- Experiment with roasting methods for tomatillos and peppers to create different depth of flavor profiles, from bright and tangy to smoky and complex.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 125 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg