Gorditas de Nopales

Gorditas de Nopales are a delightful Mexican baked dish featuring tender cactus paddles enveloped in a flavorful corn masa dough. These vegetarian gorditas are perfect for a light meal or snack, showcasing the vibrant flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine.

Ingredients

• Nopales (cactus paddles) - 200 grams, cleaned and diced
• Corn masa harina - 150 grams
• Warm water - 100 ml
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Olive oil - 1 tablespoon
• Feta cheese (crumbled) - 50 grams
• Fresh cilantro - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Red onion - 1/4, finely chopped
• Lime - 1, juiced
• Ground black pepper - to taste

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the diced nopales for about 5-7 minutes until they are tender and slightly translucent.
3. Add the finely chopped red onion and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes until softened.
4. Stir in the lime juice, chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper to the nopales mixture and remove from heat. Allow it to cool slightly.
5. In a mixing bowl, combine the corn masa harina with warm water and a pinch of salt. Mix until a dough forms that's not too sticky.
6. Divide the dough into 4 equal portions and flatten each portion into a round disk about 1/2 inch thick.
7. Place a generous spoonful of the nopales mixture in the center of each disk and fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape, pinching the edges to seal well.
8. Place the filled gorditas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and slightly puffed.
10. Serve warm, topped with crumbled feta cheese and additional cilantro if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 280
• Protein: 8 g
• Carbs: 40 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Cholesterol: 15 mg
• Total Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Water: 0.3 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in dietary fiber, promoting digestive health.
• Low in calories, making it a healthy meal option.

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