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Jun 29, 2016 4 min read

Now that the farmers markets are opening and the gardens are going, it is time to start to think about what to do with the bounty. A fun way to utilize the many fresh offerings is to make salsa.

Salsas, like the dance, can liven up any party and dish for that matter. Although salsa means anything saucy, it usually is a mixture of chopped vegetables and or fruits (remember tomato is a fruit), and seasonings. Utilizing fresh ingredients from your garden or local farm will bring out the pop in your salsa and your meal.

Obviously, the tomato is the most popular fruit for salsa. And at this time of the year, the awesome summer tomato is beginning to rear its beautiful head. Meaty and full flavored, a garden or local-farm raised tomato will make your salsa a deep, luscious tasting treat. Create your own tomato salsa, follow the basic recipes then add your signature taste. Mild, spicy, tangy or herbed, it can be what makes your summer meal on the patio become memorable.

You can use your salsa to bring personality to everything you cook. Traditionally, you serve your salsa with tortilla chips, but it is much more than that. Wake up a pizza, put on your fresh caught trout, toss in hot or cold pasta or use as a dip for all your snack foods. Farm fresh really hits home when you toss your salsa on chicken, steak or your baked potato.

Corn, another stand favorite produces a great salsa. Corn not only adds flavor, but adds color to your salsas. Add to to your basic salsa or roast it for a smoky, nutty flavor. Grill your jalepeno at the same time for a wrinkle.

Salsas are a naturally low/no fat and low sodium condiment. They are a nutritional way to add flavor to dishes without adding unneeded calories. Add legumes (beans), rice and other vegetables to enhance the healthy punch.

Add a few more, and you morphed into a great summer salad. Or you can blow the diet and pour salsa on your French fries for an awesome treat.

Take your salsa to the stratosphere by adding fruit or using fruit as your main ingredient. Summertime brings flavorful melons to the farmers market or to the harvest of ambitious gardeners.

These melons also make a great choice for creating a fruity salsa.

The melon like flavor blends with spicy hot peppers and savory onions to create great pairing any grilled meats.

Tropical fruits add a warm weather boost to your meals. Create a trip to the islands with a mango or pineapple addition. Top your fish tacos, blackened shrimp and jerk chicken with this cool salsa.

Homemade Salsa

Ingredients:

1 cup finely chopped, peeled tomato

1/4 cup yellow or red onion

1/4 cup finely chopped green pepper

2 tablespoons vinegar

2 cloves garlic, minced

1-3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped (use caution; wear rubber gloves and do not rub your eyes when chopping peppers)

1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Salt and Pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients in a glass bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Italian Salsa

5 roma or 2 beefsteak tomatoes diced

One green pepper diced

One Red pepper diced

¼ cup diced red onion

½ cup chopped pepperoncini peppers

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

½ teaspoon oregano

2 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Combine ingredients and refrigerate until serving.

Cocktail salsa

Cup ketchup

2 tablespoons grated horseradish

1 large tomato, diced

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

2 teaspoons lemon Juice

1 jalepeno, diced

Combine ingredients.

A great condiment for your fish and crab

Roasted Corn Salsa

5 ears corn or 2 cups kernals

1/3 cup chopped purple onion

1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper

3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 to 2 tablespoons finely chopped grilled jalapeno pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

Pull the silk out of the corn, keep husks on. Soak in water for a few minutes and grill on charbroiler.

Cut off kernels and add to rest of ingredients.

For a salad: chop your ingredients a little bigger and add some tomatoes and some black beans plus some cumin or chili powder, and viola!

Peach Salsa

1 cup diced fresh Peaches

1/4 cup roasted red peppers, drained & diced

2 tablespoon diced red onion

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded, minced (optional)

2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Mix ingredients, rest and serve.

Melon Salsa

4 cups diced melon — your choice: watermelon, honeydew, cantelope or all three

¼ cup lime or lemon juice

¼ cup chopped cilantro and/or mint

½ teaspoon salt

Teaspoon olive oil

1 small red onion, diced

1 jalepeno pepper, finely diced (optional)

Combine ingredients and serve after an hour.