Farmer's Market: Tomato Salsa
I did not pay attention to the winners, but one of the top three winners was a berry-pomegranate salsa that definitely deserved to win. It was delicious. The recipes will be published in the Winston-Salem Journal next week.
I'm publishing my own recipe now.
What I learned today: Pico de gallo is made up of fresh raw tomatoes, onions, jalapenos and cilantro chopped up into tiny chunks and served cold or room temp, sometimes marinated in an acid like lime juice or vinegar. My "salsa" was more of a pico than a salsa. I chopped all of the ingredients by hand. I was proud of my knife work. I had my favorite knife sharpened by Peter of Sharp Edge. I was on a roll. Or so I thought.
Salsa contains similar ingredients to pico de gallo, (often with the addition of garlic) and is always in a more liquid state. Some versions are strained and have no solids at all; some versions are slightly chunky, but all always more liquid than solid. If I'd used a food processor or blender, I may have fared better. Oh, and used more jalapeno seeds to make it spicier. I didn't want to kill anyone with heat. Next time, I'm putting up the furnace to full blast.
Nikki's Tomato Salsa
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro (handful of leaves, no stems)
- 1/2 cup large white onion, chopped
- 1 large jalapeno pepper, fresh, seeds removed
- 2 Tbs chipotle olive oil
- 3 Tbs pineapple white balsamic vinegar
- 4 garlic cloves, fresh
- 1 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
- 2 cups Roma tomatoes, seeded, diced
Instructions
- Pulse all of the ingredients, except for the tomatoes in a food processor until chunky.
- Pour processor contents into a bowl and add tomatoes. Season with salt.
- To modify the heat, add another tomato, use more jalapeño peppers and/or keep some of the chile's seeds.
Notes:
The good folks at Green Gate Olive Oils provided me the olive oil and balsamic vinegar for my salsa. The chipotle sneaks up on you for a subtle spice at the end, in the back of your throat and the pineapple balsamic provides a sweet start that matches well with the crunchy bits of onion and ripe tomatoes. I told you I make a good pineapple salsa...
Calories
49.46Fat (grams)
2.06Sat. Fat (grams)
0.28Carbs (grams)
7.60Fiber (grams)
2.06Net carbs
5.55Sugar (grams)
4.39Protein (grams)
1.23Sodium (milligrams)
298.47Cholesterol (grams)
0.00
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About the author
Nikki Miller-Ka
Ms. Miller-Ka is a classically trained chef with a BA in English from East Carolina University and a Culinary Arts Associate Degree from Le Cordon Bleu-Miami.
Formerly, she’s worked as a researcher, an editorial assistant, reporter and guest blogger for various publications and outlets in the Southeast. She has also worked as a catering chef, a pastry chef, a butcher, a baker, and a biscuit-maker. Presently, she is a food editor, freelance food writer, and a tour guide for Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours.
Sounds tasty! I love a nice chunky salsa fresca. I don't put oil in mine and use fresh lime juice instead of vinegar, but otherwise, your ingredients are pretty close to what I have always used. What a fun contest!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kelly! I usually never put oil or vinegar, but I wanted to try it to see what was going to happen. It turned out great. The longer it sits, the better it tastes.
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