Saturday, September 8, 2012

Fresh Tomato Salsa


When someone asks you if you want tomatoes from their garden, the polite answer is "yes."   This is not the time to say, "well, I really don't like fresh tomatoes, I don't put them in my salad, I don't put them on sandwiches, what will I do with them before they go bad?" 

Earlier this week one of my neighbors saw me reading on my patio and asked if I would like some tomatoes.   I said yes, and brought out a small bowl, figuring that if I didn't get too many, I could do something with them.     My answer to "what to do with gifted tomatoes?"  Make salsa.

As a kid, I didn't like tomatoes, I didn't like onions, I didn't like peppers.   That leads me to believe that I didn't like salsa.   Somewhere my taste buds grew up.   Thankfully.   Otherwise I'd still be living on Lucky Charms and ramen noodles.  

This week I was also gifted with jalapenos.   My sister's co-worker participates in the Grant Farms Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and gets fresh produce each week.   Well, the co-worker is on vacation for two weeks and we are reaping the benefits (literally).    My fridge has more veggies than it's ever  had.   I'm thinking that many of the veggies will go into soup.   But the jalapenos?   They, my friends, are for salsa.

Salsa is one of those things that you can make exactly to your taste.  There is no right or wrong. 

What You Need
3 tomatoes (preferably fresh out of someones garden), seeded and chopped pieces
2 small jalapenos, seeded and chopped into small pieces
1/2 white onion, chopped into small pieces
a spoonful of diced garlic (the kind that's in a jar)
chopped cilantro (I used about a 3rd of a bunch)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 fresh lime - squeeze all the possible juice into your salsa

What You Do
Combine all ingredients into a bowl.   Chill in the fridge for a short time (while you go looking for your tortilla chips, perhaps) so that the flavors combine into a burst of fresh summer deliciousness.

My tortilla chip recommendation?  The housemade chips at Whole Foods.   They are multi-colored, thick, and oh-so-crunchy.

Enjoy!

Have you ever participated in a CSA program?  Do you use everything you get?

1 comment:

Philips said...

I made this salsa on Super Bowl Sunday. It was such a big hit with my family, I made it again on Monday because its healthy food !!!! I used (2) cans - SW Mexican Stewed Tomatoes and half of a sweet onion for the substitution, and then continued with your recipe. Absolutely delicious!!!

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