Bean & Butternut Tacos with Green Salsa

INGREDIENTS

SALSA

• 8 ounces tomatillos
• 2 cloves garlic, unpeeled
• 1 jalapeño pepper
• 1/4 cup sliced white onion
• 1/2 ripe avocado, diced
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper to taste

TACOS

• 4 cups diced (1/2-inch) peeled butternut squash
• 3-4 small dried red chiles
• 2 cloves garlic, unpeeled, smashed and left whole
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano, preferably Mexican, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds, plus 1/2 teaspoon ground toasted cumin seeds (see Tip), divided
• 2 cups cooked pinto beans, drained (see Tip)
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• Freshly ground pepper to taste
• 8 6-inch corn tortillas
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/2 cup finely shredded and chopped red or green cabbage
• 8 teaspoons crumbled queso fresco (see Note), or feta cheese

• PREPARATION

  1. To prepare salsa: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Remove husks from tomatillos and rinse well. Cook the tomatillos in the boiling water until soft, 5 to 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. Toast garlic cloves, jalapeño and onion in a dry medium skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally, until browned, fragrant and soft, 5 to 7 minutes.
  3. When cool enough to handle, peel the garlic. Remove the jalapeño stem and remove seeds if desired. Combine the tomatillos, garlic, jalapeño, onion and avocado in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth. Stir in cilantro, salt and pepper. Set aside for topping the tacos.
  4. To prepare tacos: Preheat oven to 400°F.
  5. Put squash in a medium bowl and, using kitchen shears, finely snip chiles to taste into small pieces (seeds and all) into the bowl. Add garlic, oil, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt and whole cumin seeds; toss to coat. Arrange on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake until soft and beginning to brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Peel and finely chop the garlic when cool enough to handle; stir into the squash.
  6. Meanwhile, combine beans in a small saucepan with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon oregano and 1/4 teaspoon salt, ground cumin, chili powder and pepper. Heat over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes.
  7. Warm tortillas one at a time in a dry large cast-iron (or similar heavy) skillet over medium heat until soft and pliable. Wrap in a clean towel to keep warm as you go. Spoon 1/4 cup of the warm beans into each tortilla; divide the roasted squash evenly among the tacos and top each with cilantro, cabbage, 1/2 cup of the salsa and cheese. (Refrigerate the remaining 1/2 cup salsa for up to 2 days.)

  TIPS & NOTES

  • Make Ahead Tip: The salsa can be prepared ahead (Step 1-3). Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
• Tip: Toast cumin seeds in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until very fragrant, 2 to 5 minutes. Let cool. Grind into a powder in a spice mill or blender.
• Ingredient Note: Queso fresco, also known as queso blanco, is a soft, slightly salty fresh Mexican cheese. You can find it in Latin markets and many supermarkets.
• Tip: How to Cook a Pot of Beans
• 1. Pick over 1 pound dry beans to remove any pebbles or broken beans and rinse well under cold water. Place in a large bowl, cover with 3 inches of cold water and soak for 4 to 24 hours.
• 2. When you’re ready to cook the beans, heat 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a largesaucepan over medium heat. Add 1 small chopped onion, 2 to 3 chopped garlic cloves and 1 chopped celery stalk (optional). Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are beginning to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain the beans and add to the pan. Add enough cold water to cover the beans by 1 inch. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Lower the heat to a bare simmer, partially cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 20 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the freshness of the beans. If at any time the liquid level drops below the beans, add 1 cup hot water. When the beans are nearly soft, stir in 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. (Do not drain: beans are best stored in their cooking liquid and the liquid can be used in some recipes.)
• Makes about 6 cups.
• As posted on: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/bean_squash_tacos.html