Tomatoes are now at their peak, along with numerous farm-fresh ingredients to create all types of salsas.  Salsa naturally goes with tacos, nachos, fajitas and enchiladas. It’s delicious simply served as a dip for tortilla chips.

Here are a few other ways salsa can enhance your meals:

• Serve with grilled meats like chicken, fish, pork or beef.
• Add it to burgers, either as a topping or ingredient in the patties before cooking.
• Use as a salad topping.
• Add to scrambled eggs.
• Use as a grain bowl topping for extra flavor.

Basic Fresh Salsa Ingredients:

• Tomatoes- Roma or San Marzano tomatoes work best because they contain less water, but you can use whatever you have on hand. To dry them out a bit, I like to chop or slice them, sprinkle with salt and place in a colander over a bowl.
• Onions- Sweet, red or green onions are great for salsa, with a milder onion flavor.
• Jalapenos- If you want less heat, don’t add the seeds or inner membranes.
• Garlic cloves- Add as much as you like, or not.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Lemon or lime juice to taste.

Additional items that you may also enjoy in your salsa:

• Bell peppers- add sweetness and crunch.
• Cilantro, parsley, basil or mint for additional seasoning.
• Corn- raw or cooked provides some sweetness and texture.
• Black beans- drained and rinsed. Makes your salsa a little more filling.
• Pineapple, mangoes or Peaches- add for sweetness and color.
• Avocado- for the buttery flavor.

You may use a food processor or chop the ingredients by hand. If food processing, add garlic first, then the cilantro and process until finely minced. Then add the tomatoes, onion, and jalapeno to the bowl. Pulse 5-10 times, being careful not to over blend. Drain in a colander if it is too wet. Then stir in the extras, such as beans, corn or fruit. Add lemon or lime, salt and pepper to taste.This non-traditional recipe features refreshing cucumbers and mint.

Cool Summer Salsa

• 1 large tomato (~1 cup chopped)
• 1 large cucumber (~1 cup chopped)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons minced mint
• ½ bell pepper (~1/2 cup chopped)
• 1 jalapeno or serrano pepper (optional for heat)
• 2 tablespoons chopped red onion or pickled onion

Place the chopped tomato and cucumber in a colander over a bowl or sink and toss with salt. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together lemon juice, honey, salt and mint. Add the peppers and onion. Press as much water as possible out to the tomatoes and cucumbers and combine with other ingredients.These recipes features sweet summer fruit.

Ginger Mango or Peach Salsa

• 1 mango or 2 – 3 peaches, diced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 jalapeño chili, seeded and minced
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh mint
• Juice from 1 lime (approximately 1½ tablespoons)
• Pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.

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