
Panuchos Campechanos (Campeche-Style Fried Tortillas with Shark)
Fried tortillas stuffed with black beans and braised shark in the Campeche style.
About this recipe
Panuchos campechanos are fried corn tortillas stuffed with black beans and cazón (braised young shark), topped with pickled red onion, avocado, tomato and habanero chilli in the Campeche style.
History & Origin
Panuchos are one of the most representative dishes of Yucatecan peninsular gastronomy, though the Campeche version has its own characteristics that distinguish it from the Yucatecan original. Whilst in Yucatán panuchos are filled primarily with cochinita pibil or chicken in escabeche, in Campeche the filling par excellence is cazón: a young shark with white, mild-flavoured flesh that is abundant in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The cazón is cooked with tomato, onion, xcatic chilli and spices to produce a flavoursome, succulent stew. The panucho technique involves separating the skin from the tortilla to create a pocket, filling it with mashed black beans and the cazón stew, then frying it in oil until crisp and golden. It is served topped with red onion pickled in sour orange juice, sliced avocado, tomato and the inevitable pinch of habanero chilli. At the Mercado Principal of Campeche and in the restaurants along the seafront promenade, panuchos campechanos are the favourite breakfast and snack of locals. This dish is a living testament to the use of the sea that has characterised the coastal culture of Campeche for centuries.
Estimated cost
£11.00
Total cost
£2.75
Per serving
* Approximate prices based on UK supermarkets
Nutritional information per serving
380
Calories
22g
Protein
42g
Carbohydrates
16g
Fat
6g
Fibre
580mg
Sodium
* Approximate values. May vary depending on ingredients used.
Method
- 1
Encurte la cebolla morada: corta en juliana fina, mezcla con vinagre de naranja agria, orégano y sal. Reserva al menos 20 minutos.
💡 Entre más tiempo curta la cebolla, más suave y aromática quedará.
- 2
Desmenuza el cazón cocido. En una sartén, sofríe cebolla, ajo y chiles güeros picados. Añade jitomate rallado o picado y el cazón. Sazona con sal, orégano y comino. Cocina 10 minutos a fuego medio.
- 3
Machaca los frijoles negros con un poco del caldo de cocción hasta obtener un puré espeso. Sazona con sal.
- 4
Separa el hollejo superior de cada tortilla con los dedos para crear una bolsa (el truco está en hacerlo con la tortilla aún tibia).
💡 Este paso requiere práctica. Si la tortilla se rompe, no importa, ciérrala con los frijoles.
- 5
Rellena la bolsa de la tortilla con una cucharada de frijoles machacados y una cucharada del guiso de cazón. Presiona bien para cerrar.
- 6
Fríe los panuchos en aceite caliente 2-3 minutos por cada lado hasta que estén bien dorados y crujientes. Escurre sobre papel absorbente.
- 7
Sirve los panuchos cubiertos con cebolla morada curtida, rebanadas de tomate y chile habanero picado al gusto.
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Founder, Recetas Mexas
Mexican from Puebla, IT professional and foodie. Author of 736+ authentic Mexican recipes adapted for European kitchens. Based in Madrid since 2018.
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