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Mole Verde — Green Pumpkin-Seed Mole

Mole Verde

Green Pumpkin-Seed Mole

Oaxaca's grassy mole verde blends toasted pumpkin seeds with a raw purée of tomatillos, serranos, cilantro, parsley, and romaine, simmered gently so the color stays vivid and the seed oils don't split.

80 min
Serves 8
Family Recipe
Focus

✦ Antes de Empezar

Before you cook

What can I use instead of radish leaves?

The recipe already builds in a substitute — use spinach in the same quantity if radish leaves aren't available; both add body without overpowering the herbs.

Ingredientes· 9
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Nutty Base

  • 1.5 cupsRaw Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas)unhulled, toasted

Green Purée

  • 1 lbTomatillosraw, husked
  • 3Serrano Chilesraw, stems removed
  • 1/2 onion + 4 cloves garlicWhite Onion & Garlic
  • 1/2 cup eachFresh Cilantro & Parsley
  • 2 sprigs epazote + 2 leaves hoja santaFresh Epazote & Hoja Santafor traditional herb aroma

Finish

  • 5 cupsChicken Broth
  • 2 tbspLard or Vegetable Oil
  • to tasteSalt

Instrucciones

6 pasos
  1. Tuesta las semillas

    Toast the seeds

    Toast the pumpkin seeds gently until they puff and smell nutty, taking care not to brown them deeply. Blend with 2 cups broth until creamy.

  2. Licúa lo verde

    Blend the greens

    Separately blend the tomatillos, serranos, cilantro, parsley, lettuce, radish leaves or spinach, onion, and garlic.

  3. Fríe la pasta

    Fry the paste

    Fry the pumpkin-seed paste in lard for 8 minutes, stirring constantly.

  4. Añade el puré verde

    Add the green purée

    Add the green purée and cook over medium-low heat for 8 minutes.

  5. Cocina a fuego lento

    Simmer gently

    Add the remaining broth and simmer gently 15 minutes. Avoid a violent boil, which dulls the green color and can separate the seed oils.

  6. Añade la carne

    Add the meat

    Add the meat, heat through, and adjust salt.