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Fall Recipes: Mexican Pumpkin Seed Pesto
 Oh, where are my manners? I am such a bad..bad hostess. In my efforts to class this place up a bit with a guest blog post, while I take a little vacation, I forgot to introduce you to my friend Andrea. Andrea writes the blog Fork Fingers Chopsticks. Each ingredient that she works with comes with an explanation of its history and nutrition. Not only do you get valuable information, you get to see some of her delicious recipes that she prepares using that ingredient. I have learned so much from Andrea, since meeting her this past Spring at blogging camp. You can follow Andrea on Twitter too @ForkFingersChop. Pleae forgive my lack of manners and welcome Andrea. I was thrilled when she wanted to do something with pumpkin seeds. So check out this amazing recipe of hers. First, a big thanks to Pamela for asking me to guest post. When I met her last May, I was immediately wooed – she?s a sharp lady and My Man?s Belly reflects her wit. I?m glad to be in such company. As for me and my blog ? Fork Fingers Chopsticks ? I?m a hobbyist food anthropologist. I write about different cultural uses of an ingredient and the origin of the same. This time of year, as we inch toward Halloween, I think about pumpkins – pepitas to be specific. Pepitas, pumpkin seeds in English, are touted as one of the most flavorful and nutritious seeds. They are available year-round, but are the freshest when pumpkins are in season. Pumpkin seeds have been used in Mexican cookery since pre-Columbian times. That?s not surprising since pumpkins are believed to have originated in Central America about 5500 B.C.E. In Mexico, pumpkin seeds are roasted in oil and eaten as a snack food. Or, such as here, they are dry toasted to make pipian, a seed-based sauce. For such sauces, the hulled green seeds thicken and create richness.
You can find hulled green (untoasted) pumpkin seeds in health-food stores as well as in Mexican/Latin American markets. My only advice is to buy them somewhere with frequent turnover. Pumpkin seeds can go rancid, so buy the untoasted varieties (they are less perishable) and store them in the freezer. This Pumpkin Seed Pesto is nutty and rich. It also has some earthiness from fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley and epazote. The latter is a native Mexican herb that is pungent and, according to some, an acquired taste. Epazote is frequently used in black beans and tortilla soup. I originally adapted this pipian pesto from the cookbook Dona Thomas by Thomas Schnetz and Dona Savitsky a few years ago. I like the sauce atop of Queso de Chiva Fundido (broiled goat cheese) as the original recipe suggests. However, since this recipe makes plenty, the pesto sauce is also tasty on pressed turkey tortas (sandwiches) and lovely as a spread for bread. You can also use it as a sauce for chicken, pork or vegetables ? but, thin it a little first. ¡Buen provecho! Relationship Advice This is the place where Pamela shares some sage advice about relationships, sex and more. Me, I don?t think I can compete ? or, at least do so publicly. I am, after all, a food blogger and not a therapist. I will say this, however. Like food, a relationship can be bland or it can be phenomenal. You choose to make it what it is ? or isn?t. My Man's Belly Pumpkin Seed Pesto Recipe Pumpkin Seed Pesto Ingredients 1 cup hulled pumpkin seeds 2 small poblano chiles, roasted and seeded 4 tomatillos 2 cups fresh cilantro (only remove stems if woody) 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley 3/4 cup fresh epazote (leaves only) 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup onion, diced small 1 1/4 cups water, chicken or vegetable broth 1 teaspoon salt 1 ? 3 serrano chiles or jalapenos (optional) 3 tablespoons canola oil
Queso Fundido Ingredients 1 pound goat cheese, queso fresco or farmer?s cheese Tortilla chips Directions Pumpkin Seed Pesto Dry-roast pumpkin seeds in a large, heavy skillet (12 inches minimum, straight-sided) on medium high heat for about 5 minutes ? after the first few pop, stir constantly until they have evenly browned and nearly all have popped into rounded seeds ? do not overbrown or burn ? if seeds are over-toasted they become bitter. Once browned, remove from skillet and set aside. Roast poblano chiles under the broiler or on the grill, turning every few minutes until their skin becomes charred. When roasted on all sides, remove the skins, the core and seeds. Rough chop the flesh. Peel the tomatillos and soak them in cold water for a few minutes. Rinse well and rough chop. In a blender, add the pumpkin seeds, poblano chiles, tomatillos, cilantro, parsley, epazote, garlic, onion, water/broth and salt. Blend on high into a puree. Taste and adjust seasoning – if you would like it spicier, add the serranos or jalapenos one at a time, pureeing to incorporate after each. In the same large skillet, heat oil on high heat. When hot, add the sauce slowly, stirring to prevent splattering. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 30 to 35 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid splattering. The pumpkin seeds develop a nuttier taste and the sauce thickens as it cooks. Should your sauce thicken to quickly add an additional ¼ cup water/broth and reduce heat. When done, it is the consistency of loose mashed potatoes. Adjust seasoning ? careful not to over salt if you are eating it with chips or cheese. Keep sauce hot if using right away, or transfer to another container to cook. Cover and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days. Queso Fundido Directions Cut/break up cheese and place in individual ramekins or gratin dishes so that cheese is about 3/4-inch to 1-inch deep. Broil for about 5 minutes, until the cheese softens and heats throughout. Carefully remove from the oven and ladle the hot pumpkin seed pesto sauce generously over the cheese. Serve immediately with tortilla chips. Related posts:Halloween Cookie Recipes: Gluten Free Ginger Snaps related searches : Fall
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