Papadzules is actually a simple Mayan dish of warmed tortillas served with a pumpkin seed sauce flavored with epazote. Diana Kennedy recommends that only the freshest pumpkin seeds be used to avoid a bitter flavor in the sauce.
ServesL 4 - 6
I N G R E D I E N T S
1 white onion, peeled and quartered
3 cloves garlic, peeled and halved
1 habanero or jalapeño chile, seeded and sliced
3 sprigs fresh epazote or cilantro
4 cups water
Recado de Pepita (pumpkin seed sauce, below)
12 small (4 to 5-in.) corn tortillas
6 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
Chiltomate (cooked tomato and chile salsa, below), warmed
2 cups Cebollas Encurtidas (pickled onions)
Fresh cilantro sprigs, for garnish (optional)
I N S T R U C T I O N S
Place quartered onion, garlic, chile and epazote in saucepan, and add the water. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer about 15 minutes, until water is well seasoned.
Strain liquid into large measuring cup, discarding vegetables and seasonings. Let cool slightly, then stir 2 to 3 tablespoons of seasoned water into Recado de Pepita
When mixture is cool enough to handle, squeeze through your fingers until seeds release some of their oil. Spoon oil into a small bowl and set aside.
Gradually whisk more of seasoned water into the recado mixture, until the sauce has the consistency of pancake batter. Keep sauce warm in top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir occasionally and do not let it boil or it will curdle.
Prepare homemade tortillas and keep warm in tortilla basket; or wrap packaged tortillas in foil and warm in a 350-degree oven for a few minutes.
To prepare the papadzules
Pour 1/3 of the warm pumpkin seed sauce into a skillet. Dip hot tortillas, one by one, into the sauce in the skillet. Place heaping tablespoon of egg on each tortilla and roll it up like an enchilada.
Place 2 or 3 papadzules on individual warmed plates. Cover them with warm pumpkin seed sauce and top with hot chiltomate. Drizzle with reserved pumpkin seed oil and garnish with cebollas.
Place completed dishes in warm oven until all are assembled. Then serve immediately, garnished with cilantro (if using).
