Alguashte (Salvadoran Pumpkin Seed Seasoning) Recipe

Salvadoran alguashte is a versatile two-ingredient condiment made from pumpkin seeds and salt. It adds a deeply earthy, nutty flavor to everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to savory dishes.

By
Karla T. Vasquez
Karla T Vasquez is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Karla T. Vasquez
Karla T. Vasquez is the creator of SalviSoul, a food justice advocate, a food historian and a proponent for healthy food accessibility in low-income communities.
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated October 05, 2022
20200905-mango-alguashte-karla-vasquez-2
Karla Vasquez

Why It Works

  • Husk-on pepitas deliver a more complex flavor than shelled ones do.
  • Sifting the alguashte through a strainer removes any stubborn fibrous bits.

Alguashte is a seasoning popular in El Salvador made up of ground pumpkin seeds and used as a condiment for fresh-cut fruits like mangoes both ripened and green, jicama, oranges, and other tropical fruits and seeds. The aromatic, nutty ingredient is also used in savory Salvadoran dishes.

The pumpkin seeds used for alguashte are typically either from ayote or pepian, two different squash varieties (though some people use the terms interchangeably). Depending on where you shop, you may not be able to find pumpkin seeds labeled with the squash variety specifically, which is fine as long as the pumpkin seeds you buy still have the husk on—it's the husk that, once toasted and ground with the inner seeds, brings a deeper and more complex flavor to what is otherwise a seemingly simple, two-ingredient condiment.

September 2020

Recipe Details

Alguashte (Salvadoran Pumpkin Seed Seasoning) Recipe

Active 10 mins
Total 15 mins
Serves 24 servings
Makes 1/2 cup

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup whole hull-on pumpkin seeds (1 1/2 ounces; 45g)

  • 2 teaspoons (8g) kosher salt

Directions

  1. In a medium stainless-steel or cast iron skillet, toast pumpkin seeds over medium heat, stirring and tossing frequently, until seeds have browned lightly in spots and have a lightly roasted aroma, about 5 minutes. Transfer seeds to a small plate or bowl and allow to cool, about 5 minutes.

  2. Using a high-powered blender or a spice grinder, grind toasted pumpkin seeds to a fine powder. Using a fine-mesh strainer set over a bowl, sift the powder to remove any larger fibrous pieces. Regrind if necessary. Mix powder with salt until well incorporated.

Special Equipment

High-powered blender or spice grinder, fine-mesh-strainer

Make-Ahead and Storage

Alguashte can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
8 Calories
0g Fat
1g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24
Amount per serving
Calories 8
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 130mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 1mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 17mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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