Fresh Salsa: Simple & Satisfying
With tomatoes and peppers coming into season, it’s the perfect time of year to make a fresh tomato salsa. Fresh salsa is also known as salsa fresca or pico de gallo (which translates to ‘beak of the rooster’) in Mexican cuisine. If you are new to salsa making, peruse the basic recipes listed below. You might notice that many of them are very similar. If you’re an experienced salsa maker, then you probably already know that you don’t really need an exact recipe to make salsa – if you know what you like. Ingredients can vary from recipe to recipe, but a basic salsa is likely to include tomatoes (or another fruit), peppers, onion, cilantro, and lime juice, and you can easily adjust quantities to suit your individual tastes. For example, if you spicy foods, add hot peppers like serrano or jalapeño peppers, and if you can’t take the heat, opt for a bell pepper or a small quantity of hot pepper instead.
Roasted Tomato Salsa with Homemade Chips
Shrimp Tostadas with Avocado Salsa
Chorizo and Avocado Salsa
Grilled Chicken with Mango Salsa
Cantaloupe Salsa
Spicy Banana Habanero Salsa
Grilled Salmon with Blueberry Salsa
Fish Tacos with Grapefruit Salsa
Rice and Beans with Orange Kiwi Salsa
Once you’ve got your basic salsa down, feel free to experiment with new flavors! Try different types of tomatoes and peppers, or try adding fruit. From mango to melon, berries, and citrus, there’s a salsa out there for everyone. We recently started carrying a seasonal peach salsa from Melissa’s Tasty Vegan Creations locally made Jacksonville, and we highly recommend you try it out while fresh peaches are still in season.
Now...if you already make a mean salsa that you’re more than proud of, enter yourself and your divine salsa in the upcoming Salsa Showdown at the Salsa Festival on September 17th. Contestants will be put to the challenge of crafting their best salsa on-site at the Salsa Festival using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. First place will receive $100 in gift certificates to the co-op!
Find more information about the Salsa Festival here. If you are interested in partaking in some friendly competition at the Salsa Showdown, download the rules and registration forms to get started.