This sauce is based on pumpkin seed mole, called mole verde, or pipián. The Nahuatl word, molli, is the origin for mole, the Mexican word for this traditional Mixteca sauce. You may have tried mole made of chocolate, almond and chile over chicken in a restaurant. This pipián mole also has rich flavors.

Although traditionally these sauces always have chile peppers, when I consume nightshades (Solanaceae plants): tomato, potato, bell pepper, chile pepper and eggplant, my insides are uncomfortable due to the high level of alkaloids. So, this is the gringa version, where I’ve skipped that delicious part of the traditional recipe. Vegetarian? This vegan sauce would taste fabulous on cooked zucchini or squash. Thank you to Irene, my favorite Mexican-food blogger, for this mole inspiration at My Slice of México. Here’s her authentic pipián recipe.

Pipián Sauce a la Gringa

Pipián Mixture Prep:
2 c raw pumpkin seeds* (pepitas)
1 c raw sunflower seeds**
1 t avocado oil
Toast together in a shallow pan on low heat until browned, fragrant, and a few seeds pop. Grind in a food processor or spice grinder. *See nutrition facts at the post’s end.

 Mole verde or Pipián

*  1 1/2 c Pipián mixture of toasted seeds (above)
*  1/2 c avocado oil
*  4 cloves minced garlic
*  1/4 c minced fresh cilantro
*  juice of one lime
*  salt and black pepper to taste
*  1 t cumin
*  1/2 t coriander
*  1 t dried or fresh parsley
*  1/4 c water
Stir each ingredient into the pipián and avocado oil mixture, one at a time. The lime will “cook” the garlic a bit with its acid. Blend well with a spoon after adding the spices. Pour in the water a little at a time while stirring. Place 2 T Pipián Sauce on top of a portion of cooked zucchini, squash or chicken thigh and serve.

Buen provecho! Enjoy your meal!

Chicken
4 Chicken Thighs
2 T unprocessed coconut oil
salt and pepper
Cook on medium heat until done.

*Pumpkin Seeds
Great source of protein, vitamin E, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc
They provide amino acids tryptophan and glutamate. Tryptophan is used to produce serotonin, important for brain health.

**Sunflower Seeds
Great source of folic acid and many B vitamins like niacin and pyridoxine. Rich in protein, vitamin E, pyridoxine, minerals like copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium and zinc.

Gracias for reading Fake Flamenco! Olé!