Traffic Light Fajitas
Add some colour to your dinner with these Traffic Light Fajitas, made with red pepper, yellow pepper and courgette. Get the recipe below.
Page Contents
Red, yellow and green
These Traffic Light Fajitas are so called because strips of red, yellow and green make up the bulk of the filling. The bold, vibrant colours remind you of fiery hot Mexico and the beaming hot sun.
We often have “Mexican Night” in our house and although we eat our fair share of enchiladas, burritos and tacos, fajitas are the firm favourite.
Fajitas can be filled with almost anything. Chicken, beef and pork work really well but for the vegetarians and vegans among us (or meat eaters who just fancy a change) this recipe is the perfect way of stuffing a corn or wheat tortilla.
How to make Traffic Light Fajitas
In this recipe mixed peppers are the stars of the dish. Their ability to soften under the fiery heat of the pan yet retain their shape and a slight bite gives them the perfect texture when wrapped in a soft corn or wheat tortilla.
Courgettes may not be an obvious choice. Often used in ragouts and slow cooked dishes where they are given the chance to soften and break down, they might not seem suitable for fajitas. However, by cutting the courgette into strips and cooking it hard and fast on a high heat you are able to retain the same kind of bite you get in the peppers.
I find the prep when making fajitas quite therapeutic. I think it’s the repetition of cutting neat, clean strips all of the same length and width. Or maybe it’s the fact that it’s normally carried out with a margarita in hand!
But it’s all part of the fun. Fajitas are all about everyone chipping in and sharing and what better way than with a jug of margaritas right?!
So we’ve got the perfect red, yellow and green combination for our Traffic Light Fajitas but that’s only half of the battle. The sweet flavour of the veg needs to be kicked up a notch with a fiery blend of spices. This spice mix is as smokey as it is hot, but it’s not a pure chilli heat. The cayenne gives it a peppery kick too for a more well rounded flavour!
The spices used in this recipe I’ve come to refer to as my house blend. It’s worth noting that everyone has different tastes so as you go do have a taste – some like it hot, some like it peppery. It’s up to you! As much as you can customise what condiments go into a fajita you can also customise the spice. So do feel free to tweak the spices as you go.
The recipe
Traffic Light Fajitas (with Red Pepper, Yellow Pepper and Courgette)
Ingredients
- 8 tortillas
- 1 small white onion thinly sliced
- 1 large courgette cut into batons
- 1 red pepper cut into strips
- 1 yellow pepper cut ito strips
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tsp cayenne
- 1.5 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp cumin seeds coarsely crushed in a pestle and mortar
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp chilli flakes
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a little oil in a frying pan until it’s really hot.
- Thinly slice the onions and add to the oil with a pinch of salt. Stir well and cook until they begin to soften.
- Add the peppers to the pan and cook on high; a little charring on the skin is also good! Cook them for 8 mins until they have softened through and add the garlic.
- Fry for a further 2 minutes before adding the batons of courgette to the pan.
- Fry for a further 5 mins, giving the courgette a chance to heat through.
- Add the spices to the pan and fry for a further 2-5mins. (Add a little water if the vegetables are beginning to stick but aren’t yet cooked through).
- Once all of the vegetables have softened but before they completely lose their shape serve in tortillas with any cheese, salsa, sour cream etc. that you choose.
Nutrition
Serving suggestions
Why not serve these fajitas and I shared one of my favourite salsas but you could equally add sour cream, guacamole, salad and even some cheese. The beauty with these fajitas is that it is for you to decide!
More Mexican Recipes
Why not check out the Mexican recipe archive for more recipes inspired by the flavours of Mexico.
What a good idea to ask readers to vote for the recipe they want to see. I am with them and off to the kitchen to get theses traffic lights going. Inspired
Hi Solange! Glad you liked the recipe! It was good fun seeing what my readers wanted me to post. I'm hoping to make it more of a regular feature.Emma