Easy Pepita Dip (and Spread)

Method8 steps · about 20 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Put the 1 cup pepitas in a dry skillet over medium heat. Toast for about 4–6 minutes, stirring often, until popping and golden.

   Toast pepitas 4–6 minutes until popping and golden · 5 minUses 1 cup pepitas (pumpkinseeds)

2. 2

   Step 2: Transfer the toasted pepitas from step 1 to a blender or food processor with 1/2 tsp initial salt, cracked black pepper (to taste) and 1 pinch cumin. Process, leaving the seeds a little chunky if desired.

   Uses Dry-toasted pepitas · 1/2 tsp initial salt · Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste · 1 pinch cumin

3. 3

   Step 3: Rinse and roughly chop 1–2 jalapeños and roughly chop 1/2 onion. Sauté them in a little separate cooking oil over medium heat until softened. Use one jalapeño for a milder dip or two for the hotter source version.

   Uses 1/2 onion · 1–2 jalapeños · A little oil for sautéing onion and jalapeños · Water for rinsing jalapeños, cilantro and optional spinach, as needed

4. 4

   Step 4: Add the 3 minced garlic cloves to the softened onion and jalapeños from step 3 and sauté briefly. Transfer all the sautéed aromatics to the seasoned pepitas from step 2 in the blender. Rinse the 10–12 cilantro sprigs and optional handful of spinach; discard thick lower cilantro stems and keep the tender upper stems. Add the herbs, juice of 2 limes, the separate 2 tbsp blending olive oil and an initial small splash of blending water.

   Uses Softened onion and jalapeños · 3 garlic cloves · Seasoned ground toasted pepitas · 10–12 cilantro sprigs · A handful of spinach, optional · Juice of 2 limes · 2 tbsp olive oil for blending · A splash of water, plus more small splashes as needed to blend

5. 5

   Step 5: Blend the complete mixture from step 4, stopping the appliance to scrape down its sides. Add more small splashes of blending water only as needed to combine into a spreadable dip; keep it chunky if preferred.

   Uses Complete pepita-and-herb blending mixture · A splash of water, plus more small splashes as needed to blend

6. 6

   Step 6: Taste the blended dip from step 5 and add a little extra salt (to taste) only if needed. The source author added another generous pinch, about 3/4 tsp total, but let your final taste determine the adjustment.

   Uses Blended pepita dip · Extra salt, to taste

7. 7

   Step 7: Serve the seasoned pepita dip from step 6 as a dip or spread. Tortilla chips, vegetables and bagels are optional serving suggestions, not required components of this dip.

   Uses Seasoned pepita dip

8. 8

   Step 8: A final squeeze of optional extra lime juice (to taste) can brighten the dip. Promptly refrigerate remaining dip in an airtight container.

   Uses Pepita dip for serving or storing · Extra lime juice for final serving, to taste