Name: Atapakua - Mexican Vegetable Stew
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2 people
Ingredients: 1 Sweet potato, (peeled, cut into cubes); 1 Chayote or chilacayote, (cut into cubes); 1 Zucchini, (cut into cubes); 3 Guajillo chiles, (seeds and stems removed); 2 Roma tomatoes, (seeds removed); 2 cloves Garlic, (peeled); ¼ Large white onion, (peeled, chopped); 10 Pumpkin seeds ((pepitas)); ¼ cup Water; 1 cup Fresh corn kernels; 1 tbsp. Spearmint or mint, chopped; 8 oz. Oyster or maitake mushrooms ((any mushroom will do)); 1 Avocado leaf, (dried, crumbled); Avocado Oil ((Optional))

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Atapakua, this spicy Mexican vegetable stew from Michoacan is simmered in a smoky chile guajillo sauce made with pumpkin seeds, fresh corn, spearmint, garlic, and tomato. It is a unique combination of very Mexican flavors and spices. If you have never tried it, you are in for a treat!!

What is Atapakua??

Atapakua is a traditional dish from Michoacan that has prehispanic origins, prepared for hundreds of years by the Purepecha indigenous people. It is thought that before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores atapakua used only plant-based ingredients like chilacayote, its flowers, and other vegetables, and legumes. After the conquest, animal products were added to the dish.

In Michoacan, you can find different variations of atapakua. It can be prepared with tomatoes or tomatillos, making it green or red in color. Atapakua is notable for its use of fresh corn or masa to thicken the sauce giving it an earthy flavor.

Our Vegan Mexico Project

This recipe is part of an amazing project called Our Vegan Mexico, where 32 talented cooks will be showcasing, right here on Dora’s Table, 32 vegan Mexican recipes. Each recipe will be representing one state of the Mexican union.

With this project, I am hoping to encourage the Mexican community in the U.S., and the people of my country to take a chance and make the change to a plant-based diet. This recipe, which is representing the state of Michoacan, is the creation of Cynthia Estrada of @nutricionycocina, and here she with a message.

Cynthia’s Message:

They say that the Earth needs to be saved. Before existing as men, women or your gender of preference we are human beings, and before that we are animals, just another species. The planet evolves, the species become extinct.

I accept the word ecologist to describe me. The reality is that I am just trying to save myself. Earth can exist without humans, but we can’t exist without the earth. So why have I decided to reduce the consumption of animal products in my life and everything that goes with it?? The preservation of my person.

I decided to reduce my consumption of animal products for my health, to improve my existence on this planet, to have more energy, and improve my economy.

The Recipe: Atapakua – Spicy Mexican Vegetable Stew

If you want to prepare this recipe without oil, simply toast the pumpkin seeds and chile guajillo until golden brown in a cast iron pan. Saute the onion and garlic in a little bit of water.
You can add zucchini blossoms, fava beans or green beans to add more variety to the dish.
If you think sweet potato is too sweet you can use potato instead
The sauce is not very spicy since it uses only guajillo chiles, but if you do want it spicy you can add 1-2 serrano chiles.
For a deeper smoky flavor, you can roast the tomato on a cast iron pan or under your oven broiler until it has black spots all over, then add it to the blender.
The recipe calls for fresh corn, but since corn in the US is so much sweeter than Mexican corn, to make this récipe more authentic tasting use ½ fresh corn and ½ fresh masa. If you do use masa, let the sauce simmer for 15 min.