Pepinos Locos

servings

Pepinos Locos are a fun Mexican street snack made with fresh cucumber cups filled with crunchy chips, Japanese peanuts, juicy fruit, chamoy, Tajín, and lime. They're sweet, tangy, salty, and spicy.

prep 10

total 10

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Ingredients

▢ 2 medium cucumbers
▢ 1½ cups Japanese peanuts (cacahuates japoneses or roasted peanuts)
▢ 1 small bag potato chips
▢ 2 cups corn chips
▢ 2 cups diced fruit (mango, jícama, strawberries, watermelon, pineapple, or your favorites)
▢ Chamoy (as needed)
▢ Tajín (as needed)
▢ Clamato (optional)
▢ Juice of 2 limes

Instructions

Prepare the cucumbers

Peel the cucumbers and trim off the ends. Cut each one in half, or into thirds if they're especially large.
Using a small knife, carefully cut a circle about two-thirds of the way into each piece.
Scoop out the seeds and some of the flesh with a small spoon, leaving the bottom intact to create little cucumber cups.

Get the toppings ready

Place the potato chips and corn chips in a bag and gently crush them into bite-sized pieces.
Pour a little chamoy onto a small plate and Tajín onto another plate.

Assemble the Pepinos Locos

Dip the rim of each cucumber cup into the chamoy, then into the Tajín.
Arrange the cucumber cups on a serving platter. Fill each one with layers of crushed chips, Japanese peanuts, and diced fruit until full.
Pour a splash of Clamato into each cucumber, then drizzle with more chamoy and finish with a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Scatter the remaining chips, fruit, and peanuts around the platter and serve immediately.

Notes

Use firm cucumbers so they're easier to hollow out.
Feel free to use whatever fruit is in season.
Add the chips just before serving so they stay crunchy.
Adjust the Tajín and chamoy to make them as mild or as spicy as you like.
You can prepare the cucumber cups a few hours ahead and keep them refrigerated until you're ready to assemble.
These are best enjoyed right away while the chips are still crisp.
Want an even more traditional version? Add sliced cueritos (pickled pork rinds) on top.
Leftovers don't store well, so only assemble what you plan to eat.

Nutrition Information