Crispy Potato Tacos with Pico de Gallo Salsa – Tacos Dorados de Papa

Crispy Potato Tacos with Pico de Gallo Salsa

Crispy potato tacos, known in Spanish as “Taquitos Dorados de Papa”, is one of the most popular dishes that are loved by young and old.  You don’t need many ingredients to make them, and they can even be prepared ahead of time and reheated the oven. They’re usually eaten for dinner time and are a very popular meal during the lent time when some families restrain from eating meat.

Lent time in Mexico is observed right after Mardi grass and Ash Wednesday have passed. During the following Fridays, and up until Easter Sunday, people will eat fish, seafood, legumes, and vegetable dishes.  Cooks get creative preparing meatless dishes, and these potato tacos (as well as potato patties) are some of those many dishes we enjoy during this season.

I know that many of my readers, like myself, will have fond memories of their mom or grandma making “taquitos de papa”, either folded or rolled tortillas filled with the creaminess of the potatoes. Do you remember those times?  When couldn’t you wait for the tacos to cool down just a little to take the first bite? I hope you make this recipe and also enjoy the power of potatoes, which are rich in potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and iron.

Crispy Potato Tacos with Pico de Gallo Salsa

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DIRECTIONS:

• Place whole potatoes in a medium-size saucepan and cover with cold water. DO NOT peel or cut the potatoes. We don’t want the potatoes to absorb too much water because then that water will be released in the form of bubbles during the frying process and the oil will splatter. Turn heat to medium-high and cook until tender. Drain potatoes and move to a bowl. Wait until they’re cool enough to handle and discard their skins. (Please check the ingredients list below)
• Season potatoes with salt and pepper, and mash until you have a smooth paste. It won’t look exactly like a puree, but more like a potato paste. Set aside.
• Heat about ½ cup of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Adding the rest of the oil as needed.
• While you are waiting for the oil to heat, slightly warm the tortillas one by one in a hot griddle, in order to make them more pliable. Cover them with a kitchen napkin.

• Now, add about 2 tablespoons of the mashed potatoes over half of each tortilla and fold. Secure the sides of the tortilla with two toothpicks. Sometimes, I don’t use the toothpicks, but that requires some skill of firmly pressing down the edges while frying; if this is your first time making them, and to be on the safe side, use the toothpicks.
• Place the folded taco into the hot oil, and cook for about one and half minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Since you will be working in batches, have a large plate ready and covered with paper towels to absorb the excess oil. Repeat the process until you finish cooking all the tacos.

TO MAKE THE SALSA:

• Mix the salsa ingredients in a medium-size bowl and season with salt. Set aside. You can have all the ingredients ready a day in advance and just combine before serving.

To serve, remove the toothpicks and garnish with the shredded cabbage, cotija cheese, and Pico de Gallo salsa. Avocado and cream are also added as toppings.

5 from 8 votes

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Crispy Potato Tacos

Crispy potato tacos, known in Spanish as “Taquitos Dorados de Papa”, is one of the most popular dishes that are loved by young and old.

Category dish type: Tacos

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: 6

Author: Mely Martínez - Mexico in my Kitchen

Ingredients

• 3 Medium size red potatoes About 18 oz.*
• · Salt and pepper to taste
• · 2/3 cups vegetable oil to fry the tacos
• · 12 corn tortillas

TOOLS:

• · For fastening the tacos 24 wooden toothpicks

FOR THE SALSA:

• · ½ cup white onion diced
• · 1 cup tomato chopped and seeded
• · ½ cup cilantro finely chopped
• · 2 Serrano peppers diced
• · 1 tablespoon lime juice
• · Salt to taste

GARNISHES:

• · 2 cups Cabbage finely shredded
• · ½ cup Cotija cheese or crumbled Queso Fresco**
• Optional toppings:
• · 1 Avocado optional
• · ½ cup of Mexican cream
• · Red salsa

Instructions

1. Place whole potatoes in a medium-size saucepan and cover with cold water. DO NOT peel or cut the potatoes. We don’t want the potatoes to absorb too much water because then that water will be released in the form of bubbles during the frying process and the oil will splatter. Turn heat to medium-high and cook until tender (about 20 to 25 minutes). Drain potatoes and move to a bowl. Wait until they’re cool enough to handle and discard their skins.
2. Season potatoes with salt and pepper, and mash until you have a smooth paste. It won’t look exactly like a puree, but more like a potato paste. Set aside.
3. Heat about ½ cup of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Adding the rest of the oil as needed.
4. While you are waiting for the oil to heat, slightly warm the tortillas one by one in a hot griddle, in order to make them more pliable. Cover them with a kitchen napkin.
5. Now, add about 2 tablespoons of the mashed potatoes over half of each tortilla and fold. Secure the sides of the tortilla with two toothpicks. Sometimes, I don’t use the toothpicks, but that requires some skill of firmly pressing down the edges while frying; if this is your first time making them, and to be on the safe side, use the toothpicks.
6. Place the folded taco into the hot oil, and cook for about one and half minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Since you will be working in batches, have a large plate ready and covered with paper towels to absorb the excess oil. Repeat the process until you finish cooking all the tacos.

TO MAKE THE SALSA:

1. Mix the salsa ingredients in a medium-size bowl and season with salt. Set aside. You can have all the ingredients ready a day in advance and just combine before serving.
2. To serve, remove the toothpicks (very carefully to avoid breaking the tortillas) and garnish with the shredded cabbage, cotija cheese, and Pico de Gallo salsa. Avocado and cream are also added as toppings.

Recipe Notes

· You can use any other type of potato for this recipe.

· If you don’t find Mexican Cotija cheese or Queso Fresco, substitute with parmesan or dried feta cheese.

· This recipe usually doesn’t have any other seasoning added to the potatoes, just a little bit of salt and pepper is enough to enjoy the full flavors of the potatoes.

Provecho

Mely,

More recipes:
How to Make Tacos al Pastor at Home
Shredded beef for tacos and more…

EN ESPAÑOL PRESIONA AQUI