^[1]Veggie lovers will devour this new take on a vegetarian taco filled with roasted cauliflower, crispy chickpeas and flavorful cilantro pesto. As an added bonus, it’s also gluten-free. This delicious dish gives you a great excuse to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, coming up this Saturday, May 5 (and follow this link for more recipes for celebrating Cinco de Mayo, vegan style ^[2]). Recipe contributed by the Betty Crocker ^[3] company (isn’t it cool that they’re developing vegan recipes?). If you’d like, pass around your favorite salsa to top these, or as a VegKitchen reader suggests in the first comment below, some homemade Cashew Cream. ^[4]

Makes: 8 tacos, 4 generous servings of 2 per person, or 8 moderate servings.

Roasted Cauliflower  

• 1 medium head cauliflower, separated into florets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Crispy Chick Peas  

• 1 15-ounce can chick peas (garbanzo beans), drained, rinsed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground oregano

Cilantro-Pepita Pesto  

• 2 cups fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/3 cup pepitas (toasted pumpkin seeds)
• 1 very small clove garlic, cut in half
• 2 tablespoons chopped jalapeño chiles
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup olive oil

Tortillas  

• 8 gluten-free white corn tortillas, heated as directed on package

Heat oven to 425° F.

Place cauliflower florets in large bowl. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir until evenly coated. Arrange on large cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes; stir. Bake 15 to 20 minutes longer or until cauliflower is tender and browned.

Meanwhile, mix crispy chick peas ingredients. Spread on 15x10x1-inch pan. Bake 15 minutes; stir. Bake 10 to 15 minutes longer or until chick peas are slightly browned and crispy.

Meanwhile, in food processor, place all pesto ingredients except oil. Cover; process using quick on-and-off motions. With food processor running, slowly drizzle in 1/4 cup oil through feed tube, stopping halfway through to stir mixture with spatula. Remove pesto to small bowl.

Spoon about 1 tablespoon pesto on each tortilla; top with about 1/2 cup roasted cauliflower and 1 tablespoon crispy chick peas. Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve with remaining chickpeas.

• For lots more Southwestern-style recipes, go to A Southwestern Supper ^[5].
• Find more of VegKitchen’s Vegan Dinner Recipes ^[6] and more Burritos, Enchiladas, And Tortilla Dishes. ^[7]