Black-Eyed Pea Quesadilla (Printable)

Crispy quesadillas with creamy black-eyed peas and melted cheese, ready in 25 minutes.

# Components:

→ Filling

01 - 1 1/2 cups cooked black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 small onion, finely diced
04 - 1 clove garlic, minced
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - Salt and pepper to taste
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
09 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, optional

→ Quesadillas

10 - 8 medium flour tortillas, 8-inch diameter
11 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
12 - 2 tablespoons butter or neutral oil for frying

# Method:

01 - Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
02 - Stir in black-eyed peas, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is heated through.
03 - Remove from heat. Coarsely mash the mixture with a potato masher or fork, preserving some texture. Stir in lime juice and cilantro if desired.
04 - Lay out 4 tortillas on a flat surface. Divide the mashed black-eyed pea mixture evenly among them, spreading over half of each tortilla. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the filling. Fold each tortilla in half to enclose the filling.
05 - Heat 1/2 tablespoon butter or oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place one or two quesadillas in the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining quesadillas, adding more butter or oil as needed.
06 - Slice quesadillas into wedges and serve hot with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • High in plant-based protein and fiber from nutritious black-eyed peas.
  • Ready in just 25 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
  • Deliciously smoky flavor profile from cumin and smoked paprika.
  • A versatile vegetarian main dish that is easy to customize.
02 -
  • Ensure the skillet is preheated before adding the butter to get a perfectly even, golden crunch.
  • Don't overfill the tortillas, as this makes them difficult to flip without losing the filling.
  • If using canned peas, rinse them thoroughly to control the sodium content of the dish.
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