Salsa
What is Salsa?
While most of us typically think of salsa being a tomato based sauce or condiment served in Mexican or Latin cooking, but it actually refers to any sauce made with chopped fruits and vegetables.
It can be smooth or chunky and served cold or room temperature, but is rarely hot.
Technically speaking, even guacamole is salsa!
What is in Salsa?
That really depends on the type of salsa you are making. A general chunky salsa is called pico de gallo and is tomatoes, onion, garlic and cilantro.
While a restaurant style salsa that is a little thinner, is pulsed or pureed tomatoes with the same ingreidnet and possible jalapeno or other spicy chiles.
Salsa Verde
Verde means green, so salsa verde refers to green salsa. The base is generally tomatillos.
Tomatillos, also known as the Mexican husk tomato, is part of the nightshade family and small, green little bulbs encased in a papery husk that is a blend between a gooseberry and corn, but they are not actually tomatoes.
What Can I Salsa On?
I can eat most with nothing but a spoon, but most people think of it as a condiment. Eat on top of:
- Nachos
- Tacos
- Burritos
- Tortilla Chips
- Tostadas
- Burgers or Hot Dogs
- Grilled Chicken or Fish
- EggsÂ
- Casseroles
Fruit Salsa
Fruit can also make up salsa. Some of our favorites are Strawberry Salsa, perfect on grilled chicken, Pineapple Salsa and even Mango Salsa.
Recipes that Use Salsa
Salsa can also be an ingredient and since it is conveniently already chopped produce. One of my favorites Instant Pot Chicken Paella– instead of fresh sofrito, I use salsa! I use the same technique in my Shrimp Paella.
Chili cheese dip and crockpot taco meat (or Instant Pot) do as well! Peach Picante Chicken uses salsa for the hot element and peaches for the sweet.
Southwestern Meatloaf swaps out the usual ketchup for your favorite chunky salsa.
