Pork-Sweetpotato Quesadillas

Created Exclusively for NC SweetPotato Commission by El Charro Mexican Restaurant - Benson, NC

Recipe

Servings 4
Calories 570 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the filling:

  • 1 medium sweetpotato scrubbed but not peeled
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter divided use
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ancho chile powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 bunch scallions chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

For the quesadillas:

  • 4 burrito-size flour tortillas
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend or 1 cup each shredded cheddar and jack cheese

Optional garnish:

  • Sliced pickled jalapenos and sour cream for serving (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Pierce the sweetpotato a few times with a fork and microwave until soft, 7 to 10 minutes.
  • Cool slightly, remove the skin and mash the flesh with a fork.
  • Set aside
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pork, chile powder and kosher salt. Cook pork, breaking up the meat, until browned, about 3 minutes.
  • Add garlic, sweetpotato and scallions to the pan with the ground pork and cook, stirring, 2 more minutes, add the cilantro; taste and add salt if necessary.
  • Transfer the mixture to a bowl and set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
  • Wipe out the skillet.
  • Add 1/2 tablespoon of butter to to the skillet, melt over medium-high heat and swirl to coat the pan.
  • Lay a tortilla in the skillet.
  • Spread one-quarter of the pork mixture on one half of the tortilla.
  • Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese over the pork.
  • Fold the plain half of the tortilla over the filling and cook until the quesadilla is golden, 1 to 2 minutes per side.
  • Transfer quesadilla to a baking sheet and place in the oven to keep warm.
  • Repeat procedure to make 3 more quesadillas.
  • Cut each quesadilla into wedges and serve with pickled jalapenos and sour cream, if desired.

Notes

Nutrition Facts
Pork-Sweetpotato Quesadillas
Serving Size
 
1
Amount per Serving
Calories
570
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
39
g
60
%
Saturated Fat
 
20
g
125
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
13
g
Cholesterol
 
117
mg
39
%
Sodium
 
964
mg
42
%
Potassium
 
489
mg
14
%
Carbohydrates
 
29
g
10
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
5
g
6
%
Protein
 
26
g
52
%
Vitamin A
 
9038
IU
181
%
Vitamin C
 
3
mg
4
%
Calcium
 
437
mg
44
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
Net Carbohydrates
 
26
g
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 570kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 26gFat: 39gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 964mgPotassium: 489mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 9038IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 437mgIron: 2mgNet Carbohydrates: 26g