Quesillo (Nicaraguan Tortilla with Stretchy Cheese, Pickled Onion and Cream)
In short: A warm corn tortilla wrapped around stretchy white cheese, tangy pickled red onions and thin cream, a quick Nicaraguan street snack. It takes about 23 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 8 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 23 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 355 kcal
A quesillo is cheese, tortilla and pickled onion rolled together, and nothing more is needed. Roadside sellers hand it over in a small plastic bag with the cream poured in, so you eat it straight from the bag. At home, use any soft, stretchy white cheese, such as Oaxaca-style or fresh mozzarella, and let the onions pickle for an hour first. The result is salty, creamy and sharp.
Instructions
- Stir the vinegar, water, salt and sugar (if using) in a bowl until dissolved. Add the sliced onion, press it under the liquid and leave for at least 1 hour. Drain before using.
- Warm the tortillas one at a time in a dry skillet over medium heat for 20 to 30 seconds per side, until soft and pliable. Keep them wrapped in a clean towel.
- Lay a warm tortilla flat. Put a handful of cheese strips in the center, then add a pinch of salt, a spoonful of pickled onion and a spoonful of cream.
- Roll the tortilla around the filling and eat at once, ideally from a square of paper or a small bag, as street vendors serve it. Repeat with the rest.
Tips
- Choose a cheese that stretches and is only mildly salty. Strongly aged cheeses overpower the other flavors and do not give the soft pull.
- If your tortillas are stiff, warm them for 30 seconds in a covered skillet, or wrap them in a damp towel and microwave for 20 seconds.
Questions and answers
What is a quesillo?
In Nicaragua, a corn tortilla wrapped around fresh, stretchy white cheese with pickled onion and cream. The same word also names the cheese itself.
What cheese can I use instead?
Oaxaca-style cheese is closest. Fresh mozzarella or string cheese also work, and you may need an extra pinch of salt.
How long does the pickled onion keep?
In a clean jar in the fridge it keeps for 2 weeks. It is also good with grilled meat, rice and beans.
How long does it take to make Quesillo (Nicaraguan Tortilla with Stretchy Cheese, Pickled Onion and Cream)?
About 23 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 8 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Quesillo (Nicaraguan Tortilla with Stretchy Cheese, Pickled Onion and Cream)?
About 355 kcal per serving, with 16 g of protein, 27 g of carbohydrates and 21 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 355 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 16 g |
| Carbohydrates | 27 g |
| Fat | 21 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 640 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
