Walnut “Chorizo” Tacos with Pickled Vegetables

By California Walnuts
Total Time
40 Mins
Serves
8
Serving Size
2 tacos
Meal
Dinner Lunch
Course
Main

DESCRIPTION

A walnut chorizo “meat” is the base for these spicy tacos. Topped with pickled jalapeno peppers and radishes and finished with a squeeze of lime, these are a fresh take on traditional meat tacos. For a creamy addition, place a layer of mashed avocado onto the tortillas before filling with chorizo and vegetables. Kitchen hack: Use a pizza wheel to "chop" fresh herbs. Learn more.

Prep Time
20 Mins
Cook Time
20 Mins
Total Time
40 Mins
Calories
520
Total Fat
28
Saturated Fat
3
Polyunsaturated Fat
16
Monounsaturated Fat
7.337
Cholesterol
0
Sodium
960
Carbohydrates
58
Dietary Fiber
12
Total Sugars
2
Protein
16
Vitamin D
0
Calcium
8
Iron
4
Potassium
530

Ingredients

Pickled Vegetables

  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 8 radishes, thinly sliced
  • 2 medium jalapeno peppers, thinly sliced
  • 1 large clove garlic, thinly sliced

California Walnut Chorizo Crumble

  • 1 1/2 cups or (or 15-oz. can) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups California walnuts
  • 3 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil, divided
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon Ancho chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle, ground
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander

Tacos

  • 16 whole wheat tortillas
  • Olive oil or olive oil cooking spray
  • Thinly sliced romaine lettuce
  • Fresh cilantro leaves
  • Lime wedges

Preparation

  1. Stir together lime juice, sugar and sea salt in a small bowl. Stir in radish, jalapeno and garlic slices and let stand for 30 minutes to pickle.
  2. Meanwhile, to prepare “chorizo” crumble, place walnuts and beans in a food processor; pulse until coarsely chopped.
  3. Add 2 tablespoons oil and remaining crumble ingredients to food processor and pulse again until mixture is finely chopped and resembles ground meat, stirring several times and moving the mixture from the bottom of the food processor bowl to the top to evenly mix.
  4. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a very large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add “chorizo” mixture to skillet and cook for 10 minutes or until mixture is nicely browned and resembles ground meat, stirring frequently. (May be prepared several days ahead and stored tightly covered in the refrigerator.)
  5. Brush each tortilla lightly with oil or coat with cooking spray. Cook briefly on a griddle or skillet over medium-high heat to brown on both sides, keeping warm in foil until all tortillas are cooked.
  6. Remove pickled vegetables from liquid and discard garlic slices. Fill each tortilla with equal amounts of “chorizo” and pickled vegetables. Garnish with lettuce and cilantro and serve with lime wedges.