Pumpkin Seed Mole ~ Mole Verde
This pumpkin seed mole, or mole verde, combines pepitas with bright herbs, garlic, tomatillos, and jalapeños to make a standout sauce for chicken, fish, or your favorite enchiladas.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time20 minutes mins
Total Time35 minutes mins
Course: Mains
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 6 (Makes 3 to 4 cups)
Calories: 143
In a large skillet with high sides or in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, toast the 1 cup shelled pumpkin seeds, 1 teaspoon
cumin seeds, and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, if using, until fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Toss frequently to make sure they don’t burn. Remove from the heat and transfer to a spice grinder or a blender and process until finely ground.
In the same skillet, heat the 1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the 1 white onion, 5 tomatillos, 5 garlic cloves, and 2 jalapeño peppers and cook until slightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes, tossing a couple of times but not too much.
Place the vegetables in a blender or food processor, then add the 2 cups chicken stock, 1 cup packed coarsely chopped cilantro leaves, 1 cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves, 1/2 cup fresh epazote (if using), and 1 teaspoon salt and process until puréed. Pour the mixture back into the skillet and add the ground pumpkin seed mixture. Let simmer gently until the flavors are melded, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately. (Leftovers—if there are any—can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to a couple of days.)
- Substitute for fresh epazote—If you can't get your hands on fresh epazote, reach for dried epazote), but use about one-third as much. In a pinch, try oregano mixed with a little cilantro or a pinch of anise seed as a stand-in.
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 143kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 520mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g