Boxboles

Guatemalan Corn and Swiss Chard Wraps

Published on
March 26, 2025 at 12:31:53 PM PDT March 26, 2025 at 12:31:53 PM PDTth, March 26, 2025 at 12:31:53 PM PDT
Guatemalan Boxboles, pronounced “Bush-bole-ehs", a "pequeño" cooked veggie roll dripping in a nutty sauce that makes for a messy but satisfying finger food—qué rico! Serve them with fresh tortillas for lunch or dinner!

Makes 8 - 10

INGREDIENTS


  • 2 cups Masa Harina Corn Flour
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 bunches fresh swiss chard
  • 2 pounds fresh tomatoes
  • 1 tomatillo (Mexican Husk Tomatoes)
  • ½ chile caballo (substitute: 1 habanero or your spicy pepper of choice)
  • 1 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 1 lemon
  • red chili flakes to taste
  • salt to taste

  • INSTRUCTIONS


      Dough:
      1. Measure 2 cups of masa flour and 1 tsp of salt into a large mixing bowl and add ½ a cup of water. Stir with a wooden spoon until clumps begin to form. Test the dough with your hand to see if it will stick together in a ball. If still too crumbly, add ¼ cup of water and mix until dough sticks together when squeezed into a ball. It should be drier than bread dough.

      2. Press dough into a ¼ cup measure and pop out into your hand. Shape dough into a log about 2 - 3 inches long. Repeat this process until all the dough is made into logs.

      Boxboles:
      1. Fill a large pot with water so that it’s about 4 - 5 inches deep and bring water to a boil.

      2. Rinse swiss chard leaves and cut off stems. Place one corn dough log into the centre of each leaf and fold the leaf around the dough, securing it with a toothpick or string.

      3. Using tongs, carefully place each boxbole in the boiling water and cover. Cook boxboles at a gentle boil for 12 - 15 minutes.

      4. Carefully remove each boxbole with tongs and place in colander to drain excess water. Move to a large serving plate.

      Sauces:
      1. While boxboles cook, toast the pumpkin seeds on a baking tray at 400 F for 8-10 minutes, stirring often.

      2.Cube tomatoes, tomatillos, and habanero and place in a blender. Pulse until mostly smooth. Pour tomato mixture into a saucepan and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes.

      3. Use a spice grinder or small blender to puree the toasted pumpkin seeds, adding one cup of the boxbole boiling water one tablespoon at a time until you get a thin paste that can be drizzled.

      4. Slice the lemons into wedges for easy squeezing.

      Serving:
      Plate the boxboles with a few spoonfuls of the spicy tomato sauce, a generous drizzle of pumpkin seed puree, a lemon wedge, and a sprinkle of chile flakes and salt. Enjoy with fresh tortillas!

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