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Papadzules

Name: Papadzules
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 12 corn tortillas; 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and sliced; 2 cups (280 g) hulled raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas); 2 sprigs fresh epazote (or 1 tsp dried); 1 habanero chile (optional); 3 tomatoes, roughly chopped; ½ white onion; 2 garlic cloves; Salt, to taste; 2 tbsp vegetable oil

One of the oldest surviving Mayan dishes, Papadzules are corn tortillas rolled around hard-boiled egg and bathed in a velvety sauce of ground pumpkin seeds.

⏱ 30 minPrep time

🔥 30 minCook time

🍽 6Servings

🏷 DinnerCategory

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One of the oldest surviving Mayan dishes, Papadzules are corn tortillas rolled around hard-boiled egg and bathed in a velvety sauce of ground pumpkin seeds. The name is said to come from Mayan words meaning ‘moistened by the lord,’ a nod to the sauce that soaks each roll. A ribbon of tomato sauce and a slash of habanero complete this ancient vegetarian classic.

Yucatán recipes →

Step by stepInstructions

Simmer the pumpkin seeds in 3 cups (720 ml) of water with one sprig of epazote for about 10 minutes, until tender; do not drain.
Blend the seeds with their cooking water, the habanero and salt until silky smooth; this is the pepita sauce.
Simmer the tomatoes, onion and garlic in the oil until soft, blend until smooth, and season to make the tomato sauce.
Warm the tortillas, then dip each one in the pepita sauce, lay a few egg slices along the center and roll it up tightly.
Arrange the rolls in a single layer on a platter and pour the remaining pepita sauce over the top, covering every roll.
Finish with the tomato sauce in a ribbon down the middle and garnish with the remaining epazote.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Use raw, hulled green pepitas — roasted or salted seeds ruin the sauce. The blended seeds do all the thickening, so no flour or cream is needed.

Recipe details

Prep30 min

Cook30 min

Servings6

CategoryDinner

PublishedAugust 17, 2026

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

Papadzules

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