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Home » Mexican » Xoconostle Salsa

Xoconostle Salsa

By Hank Shaw on April 11, 2019, Updated November 6, 2020 - 7 Comments

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5 from 4 votes
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Xoconostle salsa with some of its ingredients.
Photo by Hank Shaw

Xoconostle has to be one of the coolest words out there: Pronounced show-co-NOST-lee, it comes from an Aztec word meaning “sour prickly pear fruit.” Which, well, it what it is.

Most of us know that prickly pear is a spiky yet fantastic fruit. (I normally make a syrup out of the fruits, which is great in margaritas.) No matter what the variety, they’re called, oddly, tunas in Spanish. Someday I plan on making tuna with a tuna sauce…

Xoconostle is a cousin of the normal prickly pear; same genus, different species. Officially it’s Opuntia matudae. It is native to Central Mexico, but I’ve seen it here in Northern California as well as Arizona. So far as I know, however, these would have been planted by someone. Xoconostle does not occur naturally in the United States.

For the most part, xoconostle fruits, also called tuna agria, are green. Sometimes they have a pretty peachy glow to them, though. Nothing like the electric magenta of a good prickly pear.

xoconostle fruit in a bowl
Photo by Hank Shaw

Salsa de xoconostle is the most common way to eat this fruit, which is increasingly available in Mexican markets in the US. I found these at La Esperanza Market in Sacramento.

I commonly see two kinds of xoconostle salsa: A variant on pico de gallo, and this smooth salsa, which I like better.

Other than the xoconostles, which can be hard to find, this salsa is super easy: dried chiles, onion, garlic, salt.

xoconostle on the comal
Photo by Hank Shaw

What makes the salsa great is how you deal with all these ingredients. You roast them on a comal or in a cast iron or other heavy pan. Yep, you put the fruits right on the hot iron to char and heat up, then you let them steam in a plastic bag the same way you do when you char chiles to peel them.

Same goes for the chiles, onion and garlic. What chiles to use? I prefer chile morita, which are a smaller, fruitier, slightly less smoky kind of chipotle. Like a chipotle, they are ripe, red jalapenos smoke-dried.

dried chile morita
Photo by Hank Shaw

You can, of course, use any of a variety of chiles. Some good alternatives, in order of preference, would be: chipotles; chile mixe, the smoky-spicy Oaxacan pasilla; toasted arbols; cascabels; chile puya; or, barring all else, plain ole’ guajillos. All of these chiles are dried. In a pinch you can use canned chipotles in adobo.

There is no substitute for the xoconostle, however. It’s its own thing.

The resulting salsa de xoconostle is smoky, spicy, smooth, luscious and tart. It is fantastic for tortilla chips, and I loved it spread on a plate alongside seared fish. I like it pourable but thick, but if you want a thinner salsa, just add water.

You can also see xoconostle in Central Mexican mole de olla, as well as sometimes in sorbet and in salads. I like it pureed into a vinaigrette for Mexican salads.

Xoconostle salsa with some of its ingredients.
Print Recipe
5 from 4 votes

Xoconostle Salsa

This salsa highlights the tart xoconostle fruit, and alas, there is no substitute. Look for them in Mexican markets. This recipe makes about 2 cups.
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time40 mins
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 8
Calories: 15kcal
Author: Hank Shaw

Ingredients

  • 6 to 8 xoconostles
  • 6 to 10 chiles morita, or 4 to 6 chipotles in adobo
  • 1 small white or yellow onion, quartered
  • 4 to 6 cloves garlic, unpeeled and whole
  • Salt

Instructions

  • Heat a comal or skillet or heavy frying pan over medium-high heat for a few minutes. When it's hot, set the xoconostles on the comal to char a bit. Set the onions down so flat sides are touching the comal. Put the garlic cloves around the edges of the pan. 
  • If there is any space left on the comal or pan, toast the dried chiles for about 90 seconds, turning them every 15 seconds or so so they do not burn. When the chiles are toasted, set them in a bowl and pour boiling water over them just to cover, about 2 cups. Cover the bowl and set aside.
  • Keep turning and charring the xoconostles, onions and garlic until you get some nice blackening. Remove from the heat. Put the xoconostles in a plastic bag to steam for 15 minutes. 
  • Roughly chop the onion and put in a blender. Peel the garlic, roughly chop it and put that in the blender. Remove the chiles from the water, chop and add to the blender. Save the soaking water. 
  • Slice the xoconostles in half. Scoop out the seeds. Ideally, you set all the seeds in a strainer set over a small bowl to catch any juices. Use a spoon to scoop out the fruit. It helps to slice off the flat top of the xoconostle first. Discard the skin. Add all this to the blender. 
    A xoconostle, split in half.
  • Puree the salsa and add salt to taste. This salsa will keep for at least a week in the fridge. 

Nutrition

Calories: 15kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 143mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 563IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
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Filed Under: Featured, Mexican, Recipe

Avatar for Hank Shaw

Hank Shaw

Hey there. Welcome to Hunter Angler Gardener Cook, the internet's largest source of recipes and know-how for wild foods. I am a chef, author, and yes, hunter, angler, gardener, forager and cook. Follow me on Instagram and on Facebook.

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Comments

  1. Avatar for RudyRudy says

    April 11, 2019 at 7:54 am

    Hank,

    I like to experiment with homemade hot sauces and I often use moritas for their lovely smoky flavor. I had no idea they are ripened jalapenos that are smoke-dried (I thought that was only the chipotle). I often find chipotles to be hotter than moritas so how can that be if they are both jalapenos? Is it the way they are smoked? I suppose it’s possible all the moritas I get are just mild.

    Reply
  2. Avatar for Dan GerzinaDan Gerzina says

    April 11, 2019 at 5:53 am

    Hank,

    I would imagine the xoconostles have the same glochids as prickly pear fruit, does the blackening process torch the little spines, or are you just very careful when removing the skins? Would it hurt to blast the fruits with a blowtorch first just to be safe?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Hank ShawHank Shaw says

      April 11, 2019 at 8:10 am

      Dan: I would have thought so, too, but I have never seem (felt) glochids on xonoconostle fruit. Maybe they’re already burned off before they hit the market?

      Reply
  3. Avatar for Alan BergoAlan Bergo says

    April 11, 2019 at 5:42 am

    This is so cool. I love my Mexican and Asian Markets. We have good ones in the Metro up here. Slightly off topic question. Do you know anything or have a resource that can speak generally about pesticides/herbicides used on crops in ethnic markets? I love shopping there but some of my friends and family would never entertain the thought because they can’t find an organic label. Just curious.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Hank ShawHank Shaw says

      April 11, 2019 at 8:11 am

      Alan: Most states require washing before selling, which removes most pesticide residue. I know in California there are state inspectors who spot check produce. Not sure about other states.

      Reply
  4. Avatar for Tad EinlothTad Einloth says

    April 11, 2019 at 5:40 am

    Hank,

    Looks great!

    Tad

    Reply

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