Pumpkin Seed Pepita Salsa Recipes

ROASTED CHICKEN WITH PUMPKIN SEED SALSA

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Combine 2 tablespoons of the oil with the cumin, coriander, 2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spiced oil all over the chicken pieces and place on a foil-lined shallow-rimmed baking sheet. Roast until the chicken is golden brown and crisp and a thermometer inserted into the thickest parts registers 165 degrees F, about 45 minutes.
• 2. Meanwhile, toast the pepitas in a large dry skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Cool and coarsely chop. Transfer to a medium bowl, add the cilantro, lime juice, chiles, onions, remaining 2 tablespoons oil and 3/4 teaspoon salt and toss together.
• 3. Arrange the chicken pieces on a platter and serve with the bowl of salsa on the side, accompanied by Mexican rice and black beans.

PUMPKIN SEED (PEPITA) SALSA

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• On baking sheet, spread pumpkin seeds in single layer and place under broiler for a minute or two, stirring once. Watch carefully so they don't burn. Remove from oven.
• Place New Mexico chili under broiler and cook, turning it over, until skin is charred. Cool and remove skin. Remove stem, cut in half and remove seeds, and chop chili.
• In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and mix.
• Can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
• Serve cold or room temperature.

SWEET AND SALTY PEPITAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and lightly oil the foil.
• Melt the butter in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the pepitas, toss to coat in the butter and then add the sugar, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves and 1 teaspoon salt. Spread the pepitas on the prepared baking sheet in 1 layer and bake, stirring once or twice, until golden brown all over, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely.

TOMATO-AND-PUMPKINSEED SALSA

Steps:

• On the same griddle used for toasting the pumpkinseeds (or in the remnants of a charcoal fire), roast the tomatoes, turning as necessary, until they blacken on all sides and sizzle. Blacken the chili and the garlic at the same time (they will take less time than the tomatoes). Cool and peel the tomatoes and garlic.
• Put the tomatoes, salt, garlic and about 1/4 of the habanero in a food processor and purée; add 1/2 cup of the pumpkinseed powder and taste. Add more habanero and salt to taste, and more pumpkinseed powder as necessary to thicken, up to a cup or so.
• Serve with tortilla chips. (Or anything else.)

CHIPOTLE-PEPITA SALSA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400º F degrees.
• Spread pumpkin seeds on a baking sheet and toast until they begin to pop and turn brown, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from oven and let cool.
• In a blender, combine the chopped tomato, onion, garlic, cilantro, cumin, coriander, chili powder, chipotles, adobo sauce, olive oil, salt, sugar, and 1/2 cup of the toasted pumpkin seeds.
• Stir in the lime juice.
• Refrigerate salsa for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to combine.
• Bring salsa to room temperature for 30 minutes before service.
• Great with fish.

TOMATO AND PEPITA SALSA

Steps:

• In 10-inch skillet, toast pepitas over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes or until slightly brown and some hulls have popped. Set aside.
• In medium bowl, mix tomatoes, chipotle, sauce, onion, cilantro, lime juice and salt. Stir in pepitas, reserving 2 tablespoons for garnish. Serve with chips.