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–+ servings

Shrimp Veracruz with Pumpkin Seed Sauce (Pipian)

Course: Entree
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Preparing the Pipián Sauce: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 396kcal
Author: Kris Longwell
Shrimp Veracruz with Pumpkin Seed Sauce (Pipián) is a classic Central Mexican dish. Start by making the Pumpkin Seed Sauce, then make the Veracruz shrimp. Then assemble one of the most beautiful and delicious plates you'll ever see or eat.
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Ingredients

Make Ahead

  • Pumpkin Seed Sauce (Pipián)

For the Shrimp Veracruz

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 20 large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 4 cloves garlic minced, divided
  • 1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes drained
  • ½ cup white onion finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 2 fresh bay leaves
  • ½ cup green olives pitted and quartered lengthwise
  • ¼ cup raisins
  • ¼ cup capers drained
  • 2 teaspoon oregano dried

For Finishing the Dish

  • Pumpkin Seed Sauce (Pipián) (click for recipe)
  • ½ cup corn oil can also use vegetable oil
  • 12 corn tortillas
  • 3 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley chopped, for garnish

Instructions

Do Ahead

  • Prepare the Pumpkin Seed Sauce (Pipián). As you are preparing the shrimp sauce, gently warm the pipián sauce on the stove.
    Pumpkin Seed Sauce (Pipián)

Make the Shrimp Veracruz Sauce

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, toss the shrimp with the salt and half of the garlic. Add the shrimp to the hot oil and sauté until the shrimp is pink and curled, about 4 minutes. Use a spatula to transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate. Set aside.
    ¼ cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, 4 cloves garlic, 20 large shrimp
  • Add the onion to the skillet (there should still be oil in the pan, add a little more, if necessary). Sauté until soft, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the remaining 2 cloves of minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, stirring often.
    ½ cup white onion
  • Stir in tomatoes, sugar, salt, and bay leaves and bring to a boil.
    1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, 2 fresh bay leaves
  • Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is evaporated, about 15 minutes.
  • Add olives, raisins, capers, and oregano to sauce and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute. Stir in the cooked shrimp. Cover the pan, and keep on very low heat while you prepare the tortillas.
    ½ cup green olives, ¼ cup raisins, ¼ cup capers, 2 teaspoon oregano

PREPARE THE TORTILLAS

  • Transfer 2 cups of warm Pumpkin Seed (Pepitas) Sauce to a bowl large enough to hold a tortilla. (a pie plate works well). Keep the remainder of the sauce warm, covered, on the stovetop over low heat.
    Pumpkin Seed Sauce (Pipián)
  • Heat oil in a 7 - 8 inch heavy skillet over medium heat, until hot but not smoking, then carefully pass tortillas 1 at a time through the oil with tongs (or 2 forks) to soften, about 1 to 2 seconds per side.
    ½ cup corn oil, 12 corn tortillas
  • Blot both sides of each tortilla with paper towels and place on a plate.

PLATE THE DISH

  • Working with 1 tortilla at a time, dredge in pumpkin seed sauce (in the bowl) to coat both sides, then roll up like a cigar and place on serving plates, 3 rolled tortillas per plate.
  • Spoon ½ cup of the warm pipián sauce over the rolled tortillas and then top with shrimp Veracruz. Garnish with parsley. Serve at once.  
    3 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley

Video

Notes

See the video near the top of the blog post for visual guidance. If you liked the video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel. 
Once the shrimp Veracruz sauce is prepared, cover the skillet and keep it on very low on the stove. Keep the heat low so you won't overcook the shrimp.  You'll need to keep the pumpkin seed sauce warmed, too. 
The pumpkin seed sauce can be made up to 5 days in advance and kept covered in the fridge. To make the preparation of the dish easier, we do recommend making the sauce ahead of time. 

Nutrition

Calories: 396kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 1479mg | Potassium: 232mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 342IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 2mg