Enchiladas Guatemaltecas (Guatemalan Tostadas with Beet Curtido)
Local name: Enchiladas guatemaltecas
In short: Crisp fried tortillas topped with spiced ground beef, beet and cabbage curtido, egg and dry cheese, a Guatemalan street snack. It takes about 1 h 25 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 50 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 25 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 470 kcal
Guatemalan enchiladas are nothing like the rolled, sauced Mexican kind. They are flat, crisp fried corn tortillas, loaded like open sandwiches with seasoned ground beef, a tangy salad of beet, carrot and cabbage, slices of hard-boiled egg and a shower of dry cheese. They turn up at markets, church fairs and street stalls, and they make good party food, since the toppings can be prepared ahead and assembled just before serving.
Instructions
- For the curtido, toss the cabbage, carrots and beets with the vinegar, sugar and salt. Let it stand for at least 30 minutes, then drain lightly.
- Heat the tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion and bell pepper for 5 minutes, add the garlic and beef, and cook, breaking up the meat, for about 8 minutes until browned and cooked through (71°C/160°F).
- Stir in the blended tomatoes and salt. Simmer for 12 minutes until thick, not watery, then let cool slightly.
- Heat 2 cm (3/4 in) of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the tortillas one at a time for 40 to 60 seconds per side, until stiff and golden. Drain on paper towels.
- Spread a spoonful of beef on each tostada. Top with curtido, a slice of egg, a sprinkle of cheese and some parsley.
- Serve at once with tomato sauce or hot sauce on the side.
Tips
- Prepare the toppings a day ahead and fry the tostadas shortly before serving so they stay crisp.
- To skip the frying, brush the tortillas with oil and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 8 to 10 minutes, turning once, until stiff.
Questions and answers
Are Guatemalan enchiladas like Mexican enchiladas?
No. Guatemalan enchiladas are crisp, open-faced tostadas with toppings, while Mexican enchiladas are rolled tortillas covered in chili sauce.
Can I make Guatemalan enchiladas vegetarian?
Yes. Replace the beef with refried black beans, or with mushrooms and lentils cooked in the same tomato sauce.
How do I keep the tostadas crisp?
Fry them until fully stiff, drain them well and assemble only when serving. Keep the toppings separate until then.
How long does it take to make Enchiladas Guatemaltecas (Guatemalan Tostadas with Beet Curtido)?
About 1 h 25 min in total: 50 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Enchiladas Guatemaltecas (Guatemalan Tostadas with Beet Curtido)?
About 470 kcal per serving, with 25 g of protein, 38 g of carbohydrates and 24 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 470 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 25 g |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
