Zucchini and Red Pepper Enchiladas with Two Salsas

A vegetarian enchilada dish featuring grilled zucchini, red peppers, and onions, served with homemade pumpkin seed and fresh tomato salsas. The enchiladas are topped with queso fresco and finished with a crispy exterior from light frying.

6 servings
1 hr 2 min

Ingredients

  • 1 whole large white onion
  • 2 whole red bell peppers
  • ¾ pound medium zucchini
  • 12 whole soft corn tortillas
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 6 ounces crumbled queso fresco
  • 1 tablespoon fresh serrano chile
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1⅓ cups raw green pumpkin seeds
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups chopped cilantro
  • cups water
  • 2 whole medium tomatoes
  • ¼ cup white onion
  • 2 teaspoons fresh serrano chile
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 to taste cilantro leaves

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Prepare a gas grill for direct-heat cooking over medium heat; see Grilling Procedure .

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Preheat oven to 350°F .

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Secure each onion round with a wooden pick for grilling. Oil grill rack, then grill vegetables, covered, turning occasionally, until tender (6 to 8 minutes for bell peppers and zucchini; 10 to 12 minutes for onion), transferring to a bowl.

    12 min

  4. 4.

    Wrap tortillas in stacks of 6 in foil and heat in oven, about 15 minutes.

    15 min

  5. 5.

    Cook chile, garlic, cumin, and pumpkin seeds in oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat, stirring, until seeds pop, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer 3 tablespoons seeds with a slotted spoon to a bowl and reserve. Purée remaining seeds and oil with cilantro, water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender until smooth.

    5 min

  6. 6.

    Stir together tomatoes, onion, chile, lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

    5 min

  7. 7.

    Cut vegetables into strips. Spread 2 teaspoons pumpkin-seed salsa on each warm tortilla and top with some of grilled vegetables, then roll up. Heat oil (1/2 cup) in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Fry enchiladas, seam side down first, in 2 batches, turning once, until lightly browned and heated through, about 2 minutes per batch. Transfer enchiladas to plates, then drizzle with remaining pumpkin-seed salsa and sprinkle with reserved seeds and cheese. Serve with tomato salsa.

    10 min

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