Tacos de Acelgas

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons corn oil for frying
• 32 6-inch corn tortillas ( size works best)
• 1 teaspoon garlic minced
• 8 servings pepper black freshly ground
• 0.8 cup monterrey jack cheese shredded crumbled
• 0.5 cup onion chopped
• 1 pound swiss chard fresh white red washed and chopped
• 3 pounds tomatoes fresh peeled seeded

Equipment

• food processor
• frying pan
• baking sheet
• paper towels
• oven
• wire rack
• pot
• blender
• microwave
• kitchen towels
• tongs

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 200°F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels.
2. Place a wire rack over another baking sheet.
3. Purée the tomatoes and garlic in a blender or a food processor. If necessary, add up to 1/2 cup water to facilitate blending.
4. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
5. Add the purée, season with salt and pepper to taste, and bring to a simmer. Cook until thick, about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. While tomato purée is reducing, fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil.
7. Add the chard and cook for 10 minutes, until tender.
8. Drain thoroughly.
9. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
10. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent.
11. Add the chard and minced garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the filling is very dry and well flavored.
12. Remove from the heat.
13. Wrap 8 tortillas at a time in a clean, damp kitchen towel.
14. Heat them in the microwave for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on high, until they are steamy and pliable.
15. Remove 1 tortilla from the bundle and lay out flat. (Keep the rest well wrapped in the towel.) Fill the tortilla with 1 to 2 tablespoons of the chard and roll up tightly.
16. Place the taco on a baking sheet, with the curved edge of the tortilla underneath. Dampen, warm, fill, and shape the remaining tortillas into tacos in this fashion.
17. Heat 1/2 inch oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
18. Place the tacos one by one in the hot oil, with the curved edge still underneath. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes, then gently turn over with tongs and fry the other side about 1 minute, until crisp.
19. Remove from the oil and drain on the paper towel–lined sheet pan.
20. Place all the tacos on a serving platter, pour the warm tomato purée over the top, and sprinkle with the cheese.