Sweet, Heat & Plant-Based Meat: The Crispy Taco Recipe You Need Now
Summer fruit is delicious when fresh, but fermentation reveals an entirely new flavor profile.
In this recipe, ripe peaches are transformed into a lively fermented salsa layered with serrano peppers, bell peppers and shallots.
Over several days, the fruit softens slightly and releases its juices, creating a bright, sweet-tart condiment with gentle heat.
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That vibrant salsa becomes the finishing touch for crisped hearts of palm tacos. Lightly coated with chipotle and smoked paprika, the hearts of palm fry to a golden crust while staying tender inside.
Paired with creamy avocado and fresh cilantro, the tacos deliver a satisfying balance of crunchy, creamy, sweet and tangy.
Learning how ingredients evolve through techniques like fermentation is part of the hands-on training students explore in our Health-Centered Culinary Arts programs.
Ingredients
Fermented Sweet Chili Peach Salsa
Yield: 1 quart jar
- 2 pounds peaches, peeled and diced
- 2 red bell peppers, diced
- 3 serrano peppers, diced
- 1 shallot, diced
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons sea salt
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- Water to cover
Crisped Hearts of Palm & Fermented Peach Salsa Tacos
Yield: 8 tacos
- 2 cans hearts of palm
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup flour
- ½ cup vegetable oil
Directions
Fermented Sweet Chili Peach Salsa
- Combine peaches, bell peppers, serrano peppers, shallot, sugar, sea salt and rice vinegar in a bowl.
- Massage gently and let rest several minutes.
- Pack into a sterilized quart jar with any liquid released.
- Add fermentation weight and cover with water until 1 inch below rim.
- Attach airlock lid and ferment 7 days.
- Refrigerate for storage.
Crisped Hearts of Palm & Fermented Peach Salsa Tacos
- Drain hearts of palm and pat dry.
- Separate into smaller pieces.
- Whisk chipotle powder, paprika, salt and flour.
- Toss hearts of palm to coat.
- Heat oil in a large pan.
- Fry hearts of palm in batches until golden.
- Warm tortillas and assemble tacos with avocado, crisped hearts of palm and salsa.
