Tacos are a centuries-old tradition in Mexico. They are part of every meal, every day - be it breakfast, lunch or dinner. Tacos are a way to eat our meals, filling in for bread in most households.
Tacos can be made of myriad fillings, for the meat lovers to the vegetarians. Depending on the filling, you can happily make a whole day’s meals out of tacos. Eggs and beans for breakfast, meat for lunch and cheese for dinner. And don’t forget the salsa.
Jamaica, or hibiscus, is a very popular drink in Mexico, tangy and full of antioxidants, the pretty purple agua fresca is not only easy to make, but good for you. When you make Jamaica agua fresca, you have leftover hibiscus flowers, and that’s when this recipe comes into play. Tacos de Jamaica are not very common overall, but they are so with vegetarians.
This is the ultimate frugal recipe! Make a pitcher of Agua de Jamaica and then use the leftover flowers to make tacos. This indeed talks to my Mexican soul - and the philosophy of never wasting anything, as my Nana always says.
These unusual tacos are delicious and indescribably satisfying. So much so that you will not even remember your meal has no meat. The texture of the hibiscus flowers in the mixture is oddly reminiscent of meaty fibre and has a chewy texture that tricks your mind into thinking your are eating something more substantial than flowers.
Tacos de Jamaica are made with what I call the Mexican trinity - a sauté of tomatoes, onions and chiles. Add some garlic and cilantro and you will have a perfectly flavorful mixture for your tacos. Add some cheese to your tortilla first, and you have a Jamaica Quesadilla.
Either way, serve your tacos with mashed avocado or guacamole and your favorite salsa. Vegetarian dinner never tasted this good!
TACOS DE FLOR DE JAMAICA
Hibiscus Flower Tacos
2 cups hibiscus flowers
1 Tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small onion, chopped
1 small Jalapeño or Serrano chile, minced
1 plum tomato, diced
¼ cup cilantro leaves, chopped
Salt to taste
Tortillas to make tacos
Salsa of your choice
Guacamole
In a 2 litre saucepan bring 1 litre water to a boil. Place hibiscus flowers in water and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and reserve hibiscus flowers. Use liquid to make Hibiscus Tea, sweetened to taste.
In a medium frying pan, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and chiles and cook 1 minute. Add chopped tomato and cook another 5 minutes, until tomato breaks down.
Add hibiscus and continue cooking until hibiscus starts to get crispy and golden. Season to taste with salt.
Serve with hot tortillas, your favorite salsa and guacamole.
* If desired, the cooked mixture can be put in a quesadilla.
Serves 4.