Prawn & pumpkin seed salsa tacos with smoky squash

Prawn & pumpkin seed salsa tacos with smoky squash

Wahaca-style tacos so fresh, they’ll transport you to the Pacific coast. You’ll sizzle sustainably sourced prawns until pink. Roast vitamin-rich squash ‘til golden. Stir pumpkin seeds through a warm salsa. Say ¡Hola! to flavour…

Prep in 10 High protein 5 plants Low sat fat

Serving size

Cook time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Food group: Shellfish
Allergens: Crustaceans

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Cooking Instructions

The protein cooking time listed in this recipe has been updated.

As of December 2025, we’ve revised cooking times for all our proteins to reflect improved food safety guidance.

Check out the latest recommended times in our Cooking Guidelines.

  1. Preheat the oven to 220C / fan 200C / gas mark 7. Remove the thyme leaves from their stalks and roughly chop. Peel the squash and cut into 1cm-thick crescents, discarding the seeds. Place the squash on a baking tray, drizzle with 1 tbsp oil and toss with the paprika and thyme leaves. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Roast for 25 mins, until golden, turning halfway through.
  2. Make the salsa; finely slice the onion. Finely chop or crush the garlic. Chop three-quarters of the coriander. Finely dice the chilli (remove the seeds for less heat). Halve the lime. Heat a saucepan with 1 tbsp oil on a medium heat and cook the onion for 5-7 mins, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add the chilli and three-quarters of the garlic, then fry for another 2 mins. Add 50ml water, then cook for a few minutes before removing from the heat and adding the pumpkin seeds and chopped coriander. Season with the juice from half the lime, sea salt and black pepper.
  3. Heat a frying pan with 1 tbsp oil on a high heat. Add the prawns; season with sea salt and black pepper. Fry for 5-6 mins, turning halfway through, until deep golden pink all over. Transfer to a serving bowl, then add the spinach and remaining garlic to the pan. Let the spinach wilt, then remove the pan from the heat.
  4. In a bowl, mix the remaining lime juice with the chipotle. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Add the spinach to a serving bowl. Drizzle the chipotle mix over the spinach.
  5. Clean the pan, return to a high heat and add 3 tacos. Toast for 30 seconds per side, then remove and keep warm in a clean tea towel. Repeat with the remaining tacos. Serve with the salsa, prawns, spinach and squash. Garnish with the remaining coriander.

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