Pumpkin Seed Pepita Salsa Food

BARBECUE PORK KEBABS WITH BLISTERED-CHILE-PUMPKIN SEED SALSA

Steps:

• Make the salsa:
• Cook onion and jalapeños over a gas burner, turning often, until charred and beginning to soften, about 4 minutes (alternatively, cook in a hot dry medium skillet, preferably cast iron). Let cool. Finely chop onion. Remove seeds from chiles and finely chop. Toss onion, chiles, cilantro, pumpkin seeds, oil, and lime juice in a small bowl. Season with salt.
• Make the pork kebabs:
• Freeze pork until very firm around the edges, 20-30 minutes. Slice 1/4" thick, then cut crosswise into 1 1/2"-2" strips if needed. Cover and chill until ready to grill.
• Mix brown sugar, mustard powder, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne in a small bowl to combine.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high, indirect heat (for a charcoal grill, bank coals on one side of grill; for a gas grill, leave one or two burners off). Oil grates. Thread pork onto 6-8 skewers, folding and piling onto itself to form a compact shape. Season with salt, then sprinkle generously with brown sugar mixture in several passes, allowing a few minutes between each for rub to adhere. Grill over direct heat, turning every minute or so, until browned and beginning to char in spots, about 4 minutes. Move to cooler side of grill and continue to grill until cooked through, about 5 minutes longer. Serve pork topped with salsa.
• Do Ahead
• Salsa can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Dry rub can be made 1 month ahead; store airtight at room temperature.

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.

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.

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.