History of Sikil Pak
A thick dip from Yucateco ( in Mexico) with Mayan roots is called sikil pak. Orange juice, habanero chili pepper, coriander, tomatoes, onions, and pumpkin seeds are combined to make it. It is sweet, sour, and spicy. The terms sikil, which means pumpkin seeds, and pak, which means tomatoes, are combined to form the name sikil pak.
Sikil (tomato) Pak (pumpkin seed) is a traditional Mayan dish from the Yucatan region of Mexico. Because squash and pumpkins are native to Latin America, the seeds inside have been used by local populations for centuries as a rich source of nutrients. Pumpkin seeds can be found sold by street vendors across Mexico as flavorful snacks and are used in popular dishes like Sikil Pak. We make this dip extra creamy and packed with protein with our Unsweetened Pumpkin Seed Butter, and love pairing with fresh vegetables or tortilla chips for a mid-afternoon snack.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds, shelled
- 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
- 1/2 small jalapeño, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1/4 cup Pumpkin Seed Butter, Unsweetened
- 1/4 cup parsley
- 1/4 cup cilantro
- Zest of 1 lime
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/2 cup canned fire roasted tomatoes with juice
Directions
In a large sauté pan, toast the pumpkin seeds over medium heat for about 5 minutes until lightly golden. Stir frequently as pumpkin seeds are quick to burn. Let cool and transfer to a food processor.
In the same sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the shallots, jalapeño, garlic, and a generous pinch of salt. Cook for about 5 minutes, until softened. Transfer to food processor and let cool.
Add the Pumpkin Seed Butter, parsley, cilantro, lime zest, lime juice, and tomatoes with their juices to the food processor. Purée until it reaches a smooth consistency. Taste and add more salt if necessary.
FAQs About Sikil Pak
Q. What is Sikil Pak?
Answer: For at least a millennium, the people of Campeche (Mexico) have been consuming a traditional Maya dish called sikil (tomato) pak (pumpkin seed). Similar to numerous Maya recipes, the ingredients are quite basic, but when combined, they produce an amazing and delectable outcome.
Q. How do I cook Sikil Pak?
Answer: In the food processor, add the tomatoes with their juices, parsley, cilantro, lime zest, slightly roasted pumpkin seed, and butter. Blend until you obtain a silky texture.
Q. Is Sikil Pak healthy?
Answer- Because pumpkin seeds are high in protein and minerals, Sikil Pak is not only delicious but also incredibly nutritious. More protein than any other bean or seed, with 32 g per 100 g. It also has some calcium, iron, and a lot of magnesium.