"Hacienda Uxmal Plantation & Museum has been serving Yucatan delicacies for generations. These recipes reflect the region's pre-Hispanic gastronomy and strong Mayan roots. One of these Yucatan recipes is Sikilp’aak, a paste made of pumpkin seeds and tomato.

Sikilp’aak Recipe

Ingredients: 1 cup toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) 2 tomatoes ½ cup finely chopped white onion Salt to taste ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro 1 green pepper 2 tablespoons fresh sour orange juice 15 corn tortilla chips

To Prepare: Grill tomatoes on a griddle or over charcoal until softened, put them into a food processor. Add onion, green pepper, cilantro, and fresh sour orange juice to the food processor and grind until it is almost smooth. Add salt to taste. Transfer the sikilp’aak to a bowl and serve with tortilla chips.

Note: This recipe is actually prepared in a molcajete (traditional mortar and pestle used to crush and grind spices) not in a food processor or blender.

By the time that the Spaniards arrived in the Yucatan in the 16th century, pork was already a central part of the local cuisine. To pay homage to the people who settled the Yucatan, the southern town of Ticul created poc chuc, a pork dish featuring a fusion of Spanish and Mayan flavors. Consisting of pork prepared in a citrus marinade and then grilled, the recipe served at the Hacienda Uxmal Plantation & Museum is the same recipe that was served in the historic Hacienda Uxmal.

Poc Chuc Recipe

Ingredients: 3 lbs pork, leg or loin Salt, pepper, and garlic to taste Garlic to taste The juice of 3 sour oranges (*) 1 lb roast onion in squares Chiltomate (*) 4 cups strained beans

(*) Chiltomate ingredients: 2 lbs tomatoes 2 oz chopped onion 1 bunch of fresh cilantro Salt to taste Grill tomatoes on a griddle or frying pan, mash, mix with finely chopped onion, cilantro and salt.

To Prepare: 1. Season pork fillet with salt, pepper, and garlic. Marinate for at least 1 hour. 2. Cook on a grill or over charcoal. 3. Serve in small portions along with roast onion in squares, chiltomate, strained beans, and sour orange cut in fourths.

(*) Roasted onion sauce: Cut the roasted onion on slices; add salt and sour orange juice. Mix all ingredients.

(*) Hot green pepper sauce: Smash grilled peppers and 1 clove of roasted garlic; season with salt and add some sour orange juice.