Papadzules

Ingredients for Papadzules

• 600ml (657ml) water

• 2 large leafy stems of epazote

• 1 scant teaspoon sea salt

• 230g (225g) hulled raw pumpkin seeds, about 230g (313ml)

• 12 freshly made, warm corn tortillas, 5 to 5 1/2 inches (13-14cm) in diameter

• 5 large hard-cooked eggs, shelled, roughly chopped, and salted

• 240ml (250ml) salsa

• 2 large hard-cooked eggs, white and yolks separated and finely chopped

• 12 epazote leaves (optional)

Have ready a warmed, not hot, serving dish or warmed individual dishes.

Put the water, epazote, and salt into a small pan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.

Spread the pumpkin seeds in a thin layer over the bottom of a large skillet and heat through gently over low heat, turning them over from time to time. The seeds will swell, but take care not to let them become even slightly golden or the sauce will lose its fresh green colour. You might want to keep a lid handy because often some of the seeds will start jumping out of the pan. Spread the seeds onto a metal tray to cool completely before grinding to avoid the blades seizing up with the volatile oil.

Using an electric coffee/spice grinder, grind a portion of the seeds at a time to a slightly textured consistency, 5 to 6 seconds. If the seeds are ground too fine, then it will be more difficult to extract the oil.

Have a small glass bowl ready for the oil.

Put the ground seeds onto a plate that has a slight ridge around the rim. Measure out 60ml (63ml) of the epazote broth and little by little sprinkle it — don't, for goodness' sake, pour the whole lot — over the seeds and work it with your hands, first having put the telephone on automatic answering. Gradually add the liquid until you have a crumbly but cohesive paste.

Tilt the plate a little to one side and put a folded cloth underneath to hold it in that position. Start squeezing the paste and you will see that drops of oil will begin to extrude. Add a little more warm liquid if necessary — you probably won't need the whole amount — and keep squeezing until you have collected almost 60ml of dark green oil. (This is pure vitamin E, and great for the hands.) Crumble the paste into a blender jar, add the remaining strained epazote broth, if desired, and blend until smooth.

Transfer the sauce to a skillet and warm through over the lowest possible heat, stirring almost constantly because the starch content of the seeds begins to swell and the particles tend to coagulate in the bottom of the pan.

Dip one of the warm tortillas into the sauce: it should be lightly covered. If the sauce is too thick, dilute it with a little extra warm water. Work as quickly as you can, dipping each tortilla into the sauce, holding it with tongs but supporting it with a spatula so you don't get left with a bit of broken tortilla in your tongs. Sprinkle some of the chopped egg across one-third of the tortilla, roll it up, and place it on the warmed dish.

When all the papadzules are assembled, pour the remaining sauce over them. (If the sauce has thickened and become grainy looking, put it back into the blender with a little extra warm water and blend until smooth.) Now pour on the tomato sauce and sprinkle the chopped egg whites and yolks. Decorate with the optional epazote. As a final touch, spoon in little pools of the oil. Serve immediately or the oil will sink back into the sauce and all that work will have been for naught! Of course, it is more colorful and attractive to serve the papadzules together on one serving dish.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.