
Chayote and White Bean Enchiladas with Roasted Tomatillo Sauce and Golden Cheese
An original Latin American dish featuring corn tortillas filled with sautéed chayote, white beans, and onion, covered in a roasted tomatillo-jalapeño sauce and finished with melted cheese, fresh cilantro, and toasted pumpkin seeds.
Ingredients
- 450 g tomatillos (without peel and lavados)
- 1 unit jalapeño (without stalk)
- 180 g white onion (the mitad for roasting and the mitad chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (2 for the sauce and 1 for the relleno)
- 30 ml olive oil (divided)
- 2 g ground cumin (divided)
- 8 g salt (or to taste, divided)
- 1 g black pepper (divided)
- 500 g chayote (pelado, without semilla and diced small)
- 240 g cooked white beans (escurridos)
- 1 g dried oregano
- 15 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 8 units corn tortillas (6 in aproximadamente)
- 140 g shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 15 g fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 25 g pumpkin seeds (tostadas)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 220°C / 425°F. Place the tomatillos, jalapeño, half of the white onion, and 2 garlic cloves on a baking tray. Drizzle with 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil and sprinkle with 1 g (1/2 tsp) ground cumin, 3 g (1/2 tsp) salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Roast for 18 to 20 minutes, until the tomatillos are soft and lightly browned on the edges.
- 2
While the vegetables roast, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil and cook the remaining chopped white onion for 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1 minced garlic clove, the chayote, the remaining ground cumin, dried oregano, the rest of the salt, and black pepper. Sauté for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring, until the chayote is tender but still holds its shape.
- 3
Stir the cooked white beans into the skillet and cook for 2 more minutes, lightly mashing some of the beans to help bind the filling. Add the lime juice, mix well, and remove from the heat.
- 4
Transfer the roasted tomatillos, jalapeño, roasted onion, and 2 roasted garlic cloves to a blender. Blend until smooth. For a looser consistency, add 30 to 60 ml (2 to 4 tbsp) water if desired. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
- 5
Reduce the oven temperature to 190°C / 375°F. Spread a thin layer of tomatillo sauce over the bottom of a baking dish.
- 6
Warm the corn tortillas on a dry griddle or skillet for 20 to 30 seconds per side so they fold without breaking. Fill each tortilla with the chayote and white bean mixture, roll it up, and place seam-side down in the baking dish.
- 7
Spoon the remaining tomatillo sauce over the enchiladas and scatter the shredded Monterey Jack cheese on top. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes at 190°C / 375°F, until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- 8
Serve the enchiladas hot with chopped fresh cilantro and toasted pumpkin seeds on top.
Chef tips
For deeper flavor, let the tomatillos caramelize well on the tray. If you prefer more heat, blend in the jalapeño seeds as well. Do not overcook the chayote so the filling keeps a pleasant texture.
Substitutions
You can replace Monterey Jack with Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella. White beans can be swapped for cooked pinto beans. If you do not have pumpkin seeds, use crunchy toasted corn as a finishing touch.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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