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Pek Salsa
unusual

The name of this salsa is weird because it is in Mayan and the meaning of pek is “dog" – we have no clue why that name was given to the salsa but sometimes the Yucatecans tend to be funny .

Beyond the salsa’s name... what is important is what you are going to taste in it and believe us it has nothing to do with a dog. The pek salsa is a very special recipe because it consists of the combination of habanero pepper with pumpkin seeds. This is an unusual mixture but the flavor that is obtained is irresistible because it is spicy, a bit strong and a toasted touch coming from the roasted pumpkin seeds can always be perceived.

– Although the salsa also has other qualities because its consistency is thick and its texture is slightly grainy.

The pek salsa is the one that has to be used to accompany Yucatecan appetizers like the panuchos and the papadzules. It can also be used with snacks and if you want to use it with main dishes we recommend tasting it with some fried chicken tacos or with a baked pork loin – its flavor will never be the same.

About the Recipe

The salsa preparation is not very complicated, you only have to perform some steps and ready.
The salsa is prepared with pumpkin seeds and they must not have neither shell nor salt, in this way the salsa will have the adequate flavor.
The preparation time is of 10 minutes.
The recipe yields 2 cups.

Ingredients

3 Habanero Peppers (1 oz)

3/4 of a cup of Pumpkin Seeds (3.5 oz)

1/4 of an Onion (1.2 oz)

2 Garlic cloves (.2 oz)

1/4 tablespoon of Salt

Cookware

1 Saucepan

1 Frying Pan

1 Blender

1 Measuring Cup

1 Cutting Board

1 Turner

1 Knife

Directions

Put in a frying pan over medium heat:

3 Habanero Peppers.
3/4 of a cup of Pumpkin Seeds.

If you want a milder salsa remove the veins and the seeds of the habanero peppers.

Roast the frying pan ingredients for approximately 1½ minutes, until all their sides are lightly roasted; move them regularly.
Transfer from the frying pan to a blender the ingredients that were roasted.
Also add in the blender:

1/4 of an Onion.
2 Garlic cloves.
1/4 cup of Water (2 fl oz).
1/4 tablespoon of Salt.

Blend very well the ingredients.
Put in a saucepan over medium heat the mixture that was blended and cook it for about 4 minutes, until the pek salsa thickens a little; stir occasionally.