EatSmarter exclusive recipe

Mexican Pasta Salad with Pepitas

with Spicy Jalapeños
4.8
Average: 4.8 (5 votes)
(5 votes)
Mexican Pasta Salad with Pepitas

Mexican Pasta Salad with Pepitas - Fiery and colorful—all of your party guests will love it!

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Health Score:
96 / 100
Difficulty:
moderate
Difficulty
Preparation:
35 min.
Preparation
ready in 50 min.
Ready in
Calories:
645
calories
Calories

Healthy, because

Even smarter

Nutritional values

The dish has a lot to offer, including a ton of dietary fiber, which will keep you full for longer and help stimulate digestion. One serving of this pasta salad also meets your daily requirement of both vitamin C and magnesium.

For an extra portion of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for the cardiovascular system, simply add tuna to the salad.

1 serving contains
(Percentage of daily recommendation)
Calorie645 cal.(31 %)
Protein22 g(22 %)
Fat23 g(20 %)
Carbohydrates84 g(56 %)
Sugar added0 g(0 %)
Roughage21.5 g(72 %)
Vitamin A0.4 mg(50 %)
Vitamin D0 μg(0 %)
Vitamin E8.6 mg(72 %)
Vitamin B₁0.9 mg(90 %)
Vitamin B₂0.3 mg(27 %)
Niacin9.4 mg(78 %)
Vitamin B₆0.8 mg(57 %)
Folate132 μg(44 %)
Pantothenic acid2 mg(33 %)
Biotin12.9 μg(29 %)
Vitamin B₁₂0 μg(0 %)
Vitamin C144 mg(152 %)
Potassium1,243 mg(31 %)
Calcium98 mg(10 %)
Magnesium252 mg(84 %)
Iron8.1 mg(54 %)
Iodine12 μg(6 %)
Zinc5.4 mg(68 %)
Saturated fatty acids3 g
Uric acid149 mg
Cholesterol0 mg
Development of this recipe:
EAT-SMARTER

Ingredients

for
4
Ingredients
16 ozs red Hungarian wax pepper
2 Jalapeño (or pickled hot peppers)
1 lb Tomatoes
4 sprigs oregano
½ bunch cilantro
2 onions
2 garlic cloves
3 fresh Corn
14 ozs Penne (preferably whole-grain)
salt
4 Tbsps Pumpkin seed
5 Tbsps vegetable oil
1 tsp Cumin
1 Lime
peppers
How healthy are the main ingredients?
Pumpkin seedoreganoTomatooniongarlic cloveCorn
Preparation

Kitchen utensils

1 Pot, 1 Skillet, 1 Bowl, 1 Small bowl, 1 Plate, 1 Cutting board, 1 Large knife, 1 Small knife, 1 Tablespoon, 1 Teaspoon, 1 Wooden spoon, 1 Sieve, 1 Citrus juicer

Preparation steps

1.
Mexican Pasta Salad with Pepitas preparation step 1

Roast the red peppers under the hot oven broiler (or over an open gas flame) while turning occasionally until skin is black. Place in a bowl, cover and leave to cool for 10 minutes.

2.
Mexican Pasta Salad with Pepitas preparation step 2

Rinse the jalapeños and coarsely chop. Rinse the tomatoes, remove seeds and chop coarsely. Combine both in a bowl.

3.
Mexican Pasta Salad with Pepitas preparation step 3

Rinse oregano and cilantro and shake dry. Pluck the leaves, chop and add to the bowl. Peel the onions and garlic and chop finely.

4.
Mexican Pasta Salad with Pepitas preparation step 4

Trim corn, rinse and cut the kernels from cob with a sharp knife.

5.
Mexican Pasta Salad with Pepitas preparation step 5

Peel skin from the red peppers with a knife and cut peppers into quarters.

6.
Mexican Pasta Salad with Pepitas preparation step 6

Remove seeds, cut red peppers into cubes and add to tomatoes.

7.
Mexican Pasta Salad with Pepitas preparation step 7

Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente.

8.
Mexican Pasta Salad with Pepitas preparation step 8

Meanwhile, roast pumpkin seeds in a dry pan until fragrant. Remove and set aside.

9.
Mexican Pasta Salad with Pepitas preparation step 9

Cook corn kernels in the pan while stirring until brown spots appear, 4-5 minutes. Add to the other ingredients in the bowl.

10.
Mexican Pasta Salad with Pepitas preparation step 10

Heat the oil in a pan. Add onions and garlic and sauté until transparent, 3-4 minutes. Add cumin seeds and cook for 20 seconds. Mix everything with the tomatoes and corn.

11.
Mexican Pasta Salad with Pepitas preparation step 11

Drain pasta, taking care to reserve 6-8 tablespoons of pasta water. Mix pasta with the remaining ingredients. Squeeze lime and season the salad with juice to taste. If the salad is a little dry, stir in pasta water as needed. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and serve.

Comments

bailey123's picture
Can regular bell peppers be used for this recipe?
Cyndy from EAT SMARTER's picture
Yes! You can substitute colorful bell peppers. They are a bit milder in taste though.