Spiced Pumpkin Tomatillo Salsa
Spiced Pumpkin Tomatillo Salsa is a flavorful and easy snack to make during fall! Made with roasted tomatillos, pumpkin seeds, chilies, and spices. Perfect for holiday parties, tailgates, and more!
Our garden was bursting with tomatillos this year.
In fact, our tomatillos were definitely over achievers and yielded more than our tomatoes. Don’t tell our tomatoes, okay?
I adore using tomatillos because they are easy to prepare and are super versatile when it comes to cooking. In today’s recipe I’m showing you how to incorporate them into a savory, pumpkin infused salsa that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
BUT! In case you aren’t a nightshade fan, here are a few dip recipes that will equally have folks asking for seconds: Easy Greek Feta Dip,Ultimate Black Bean Dip, and Easy Smoky Carrot Dip.
Okay, ready to get our salsa on?
What is a tomatillo?
A tomatillo is a small, round fruit that is a staple in Mexican cuisine. It’s related to tomatoes, but has a distinctive tangy, slightly acidic flavor. Tomatillos are typically green or purple when ripe and are enclosed in a papery husk, which is removed before eating or cooking.
They are often used to make salsa verde and their tartness provides a fresh, vibrant flavor in many dishes. Tomatillos can be eaten raw or cooked, and they are popular in sauces, soups, and stews.
Can you eat a tomatillo raw?
Yes, you can eat a tomatillo raw. Raw tomatillos have a tangy, slightly sour flavor with a firm texture. They are often used raw in salsa verde, salads, or as a garnish. Before eating, make sure to remove the papery husk and rinse off the sticky residue that sometimes coats the fruit. If the tartness is too strong, cooking the tomatillos can mellow the flavor.
How do you clean a tomatillo?
Remove the husk: Peel away the papery husk that surrounds the tomatillo. It can be sticky and sometimes has dirt on it.
Rinse: After removing the husk, the tomatillo will feel sticky due to a natural residue on its skin. Rinse it thoroughly under cold water to wash away the stickiness and any dirt.
Dry: Pat the tomatillo dry with a clean towel or paper towel, and it’s ready to be used in your recipe!
Ingredients Needed to Make Spiced Pumpkin Tomatillo Salsa
What’s great about this salsa is that the ingredient list is simple. Plus, it’s a wonderful salsa to make ahead for an afternoon snack or impromptu party. You will need to following ingredients to make this salsa:
- Fresh Tomatillos
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Kosher salt and Freshly ground pepper
- Guajillo dried chilies
- Roasted pumpkin seeds
- Chips
How to Make Spiced Pumpkin Tomatillo Salsa
I love making this salsa because you can add it to your weekday prep list and snack on it all week. Make a big batch because it will go fast. Follow the steps below for success:
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray.
- Next, place the tomatillos and garlic on the baking sheet. Toss with olive oil, kosher salt and pepper. Roast for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the tomatillos start to turn brown. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and add in the dried chilies. Continue to roast for another 5 minutes.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and toss everything into a food processor. Blend until smooth. Pour the salsa into a bowl and stir in pumpkin seeds. Serve the salsa with chips or veggies!
Variations of Spiced Pumpkin Tomatillo Salsa
In my opinion a salsa should have easy variations to suit an assortment of pantries. Below are a few subtle ways to mix up this salsa
Creamy Pumpkin Tomatillo Salsa
Ingredients: Try adding cream cheese to this salsa for a creamier version. Don’t forget to add a splash of honey or maple syrup to balance out the acidity.
Spiced Pumpkin Tomatillo Salsa with Roasted Jalapenos
Ingredients: If you like a spicier salsa try adding jalapenos or hatch chiles with the tomatillos.
Pumpkin Tomatillo Avocado Salsa
Ingredients: I’m a big fan of avocado which is a great addition to incorporate into this salsa. Simply puree the avocado with the tomatillos for a fun twist!
Proper Storing
Refrigeration
- Transfer the salsa to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
Freezer
- If you’ve made more salsa than you can use, you can freeze it for up to 2-3 months.
Spiced Pumpkin Tomatillo Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 lb Fresh tomatillos, husked, rinsed
- 8 cloves Garlic, peeled
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste
- 3 Dried Guajillo chiles, roughly chopped
- 1 cup Salted, roasted pumpkin seeds, finely chopped
- Tortilla Chips or Veggies, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray.
- Next, place the tomatillos and garlic on the baking sheet. Toss with olive oil, kosher salt and pepper. Roast for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the tomatillos start to turn brown. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and add in the dried chilies. Continue to roast for another 5 minutes.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and toss everything into a food processor. Blend until smooth. Pour the salsa into a bowl and stir in pumpkin seeds. Serve the salsa with chips or veggies!
