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Pumpkin Seed Pepita Salsa

A rich, nutty Mexican green salsa made by toasting raw pepitas and blending them with tomatillos, serrano chili, and cilantro for a creamy, tangy dipping sauce.

25 minMediumServes 870 cal/serving

MexicanSauceStovetop and BlenderVeganVegetarianLow CarbHalal-friendlyGluten-FreeDairy-FreeEgg-FreeNut-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

  • 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
  • 8 oz tomatillos, husked, halved
  • 1 serrano chili (or jalapeno for milder heat), stemmed
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp neutral oil

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add 1 cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas) and toast, stirring frequently, until they pop and turn golden, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

  2. 2

    In the same skillet with a touch of 1 tsp neutral oil, char 8 oz husked, halved tomatillos and 1 stemmed serrano chili (or jalapeno for milder heat) over medium-high heat until blistered and softened, about 4 minutes. Remove and let cool slightly.

  3. 3

    Transfer the toasted raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas) to a blender. Blend briefly until coarsely ground.

  4. 4

    Add the charred tomatillos, serrano chili (or jalapeno for milder heat), 2 peeled garlic cloves, 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro, 1/2 cup water, 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, and 1/2 tsp kosher salt to the blender.

  5. 5

    Blend until a smooth, slightly textured salsa forms. Add more water a tablespoon at a time to reach your desired consistency.

  6. 6

    Taste and adjust seasoning with more kosher salt or fresh lime juice. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Questions

How long does Pumpkin Seed Pepita Salsa keep?

Refrigerated in a sealed jar, it keeps four to five days. It also freezes flat in a bag for up to three months.

Can I halve or double Pumpkin Seed Pepita Salsa?

Yes. As written it serves 8. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubled, blend in batches rather than overfilling the jar.

Serve it with

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