Photo: Leigh Loftus
My name is Maris and I’m addicted to chips and salsa.
This is not a new addiction by any means. I’ve always loved the fact that Mexican restaurants give you the opportunity to eat endless amounts of tortilla chips. But more than chips, which would be more aptly named “vehicles for guacamole” I love the salsas and dips that accompany them.
I am certain that whoever created the universe decided that chips and salsa were the perfect pair because salsa is so low in calories that it almost compensates for the fact that chips have little to no nutritional value whatsoever. There are so many fantastic varieties of salsa but my latest favorite is salsa verde, a green salsa made from tomatillos.
Tomatillos are one of those ingredients that you’ve probably passed by in the grocery store and never gave a second glance because they have crinkly brownish-green jackets that, well, look kind of gross. Once you remove the jackets, they have a sticky, rubbery interior that can be easily cleaned with a quick rinse.
This salsa is great as a chip dip but you could also use it in your favorite enchilada recipe, atop a spicy chili or over grilled fish or meat.
Photo: Leigh Loftus
- 1½ lb tomatillos
- ½ cup chopped white onion
- ½ cup cilantro leaves
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 large garlic clove
- 2 Jalapeño peppers, stemmed, seeded and chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Remove the outer husks from the tomatillos and rinse them well. They will feel a little sticky - that's normal. Place them on a baking sheet and roast them until they are tender and begin to deflate, slightly browned on the outsides, about 8-12 minutes.
- Place tomatillos, onion, cilantro, lime juice, garlic and Jalapeño peppers in a food processor or blender and pulse until all ingredients are finely chopped and mixed. There may still be some lumps and seeds, like in any salsa, which is OK. Season to taste with salt and serve chilled or room temperature.
- Serve with chips or as a salsa accompaniment to Mexican dishes.
59 Comments
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Nami | Just One Cookbook
August 11, 2011 at 11:30 pmWhenever I see tomatillo salsa, I always think of my American host family. My host dad was VERY good at making this and I was amazed to see my first tomatillo back then. Since then I enjoy salsa verde too, especially the fresh one… Hmmm.. I get so full with chips and salsa before actual dinner. I can’t tell kids “don’t eat chips so much” because I’m the one who can’t stop! =P
Jamie | My Baking Addiction
August 11, 2011 at 8:33 pmYa know we are salsa addicts too, but I have never made salsa verde. I think I need to change this asap. It looks fantastic.
natalie
August 11, 2011 at 4:30 pmThis looks so yummy! And that bowl is adorable!
Nelly Rodriguez
August 11, 2011 at 1:12 pmGreat salsa! Love tomatillos 🙂
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen
August 11, 2011 at 10:04 amThis looks so fresh and flavorful! Thanks Maris 🙂
Rosa
August 11, 2011 at 8:12 amMmmhhh! I wish I could find tomatillos here…
Cheers,
Rosa
5 Star Foodie
August 11, 2011 at 6:53 amYour tomatillo salsa sounds excellent! I have to admit to never actually having cooked with tomatillos although of course I’ve had them many times when dining out.
Melissa@IWasBornToCook
August 10, 2011 at 8:45 pmOh yeah, I could see myself with a BIG bowl of that and plenty o’ chips. Nice.
Lisa from Lisas Yarns
August 10, 2011 at 8:36 pmI too am a huge fan of chips and salsa. The chip is definitely just a vessel for guac or salsa most of the time. 😉 Mmm. I have never made anything with tomatillos. It’s good to know that they are easy to work with!
sarah
August 10, 2011 at 7:02 pmI can sustain myself on nothing but chips and salsa for days! It’s good to change up your salsa when it’s life. This looks just delicious.
kankana
August 10, 2011 at 5:53 pmeverybody loves chips and salsa , at least I do 🙂 and i was getting tired of my normal tomato or mango or pineapple salsa. This would an interesting twist to try.
Alexandra (Veggin' Out in the Kitchen)
August 10, 2011 at 5:26 pmYUM!!! I LOVE tomatillos! I need to make this – I’m pretty sure my mom and I could demolish it pretty quickly 😉
I’m not a big fan of chips, but I do love me some salsa. Maybe I could eat it with crackers, in a tortilla, by the spoonful…. 😛
<3 <3
Gina
August 10, 2011 at 5:08 pmI’m an addict too, you need to form a support group, he he. Maybe jean manufacturers invented the combo so we would buy more jeans? Hope you are having a great week.
-Gina-
NancyC
August 10, 2011 at 4:44 pmThat salsa looks great! I really like salsa verde too, but have never made it myself yet.
The Teenage Taste
August 10, 2011 at 3:25 pmNo shame about being addicted to chips and salsa! I’m a fellow addict. Chips and salsa addicts unite! 😛
Sarah (everydaysapicnic)
August 10, 2011 at 2:10 pmI’ve never seen tomatillos, so I’m not sure if I can get hold of them. The salsa looks fantastic though 🙂
Roz
August 10, 2011 at 2:10 pmI love how you started this post Maris!!! Admitting it is the first step! Wish tomatillos were readily available around here!!! This looks fantastic. Have a great salsa and chip filled day!
Caroline
August 10, 2011 at 1:39 pmI’m equally addicted to chips and salsa. I could easily go through two baskets of chips before my meal at a Mexican restaurant. Well, yeah, it typically ruins my dinner appetite, but they’re just too good! This tomatillo salsa sounds awesome.
Angie@Angiesrecipes
August 10, 2011 at 12:52 pmVery fresh and appetizing!
natalie (the sweets life)
August 10, 2011 at 12:42 pmi love salsa verde and have never made my own…you’ve inspired me!
Heavenly Housewife
August 10, 2011 at 12:36 pmThat looks so fresh and wonderful. I don’t think I’ve ever seen tomatillos here in the UK though, what a shame!
*kisses* HH
Natalie
August 10, 2011 at 11:54 amWe can’t get tomatillos here so I’ve never tried them. Maybe I could use green tomatoes, I’m all about chips and dips too, especially on a Saturday night!
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum
August 10, 2011 at 11:48 amSo lovely! I made a tomatillo avocado sauce once that was delicious…it was just like this, but added a few pureed avocados to make it a little thicker and creamier. Yum!
Gen
August 10, 2011 at 11:02 amLoooove salsa verde! The thing is, you can’t find tomatillos here…guess I’ll just have to bookmark this to make in the US!
Ali Grace
August 10, 2011 at 9:47 amI know I say this about all your recipes… but seriously, I’m OBSESSED with salsa verde. Once I start I can’t quit. I’m a little scared to try this recipe, but I can’t help myself. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and leaving such sweet comments!!
Nicole@HeatOvenTo350
August 10, 2011 at 9:41 amI have a similar recipe that I just love. Tomatillas have such a bright, fresh flavor. Sometimes I put the tomatillos in a dish on a covered grill if I already have it running and don’t want to heat up the house using my oven.
Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking
August 10, 2011 at 8:35 amChips and Salsa, definitely an addiction here, too! Great job on the pictures, Maris – I just want to take that chip and shove it into my mouth!! (sigh)
Kitchen Belleicious
August 10, 2011 at 7:20 amYep, salsa verde is one of my favorites for sure. I love the sweetness and kinda tartness of the tomatillos. A nice break from the usual salsa! Your pictures are stunning
Liz
August 10, 2011 at 7:15 amI’m addicted, too! I just try my hardest not to start, but every once and a while, I have to indulge. Your tomatillo salsa looks wonderful~
Lisa @ Tarte du Jour
August 10, 2011 at 7:13 amMy name is Lisa and I’m addicted to chips and salsa too! I will definitely whip up this salsa before the summer is out. Delicious!
Blond Duck
August 10, 2011 at 6:39 amI love salsa! And a good tomatillo is hard to find…
Susan
August 10, 2011 at 6:31 amI’ve never had that kind of salsa, looks delicious!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
August 10, 2011 at 1:33 amHehe I’m with you-like drinking sparkling water with pork ribs-it all cancels itself out 😉
peachkins
August 10, 2011 at 12:53 amOh my gosh! Last night I was eating chips and salsa! I have the same addiction!LOlz..I have to try tomatillos…the color is fantastic…
Kate (What Kate is Cooking)
August 9, 2011 at 11:23 pmI am obsessed with tomatillos! They taste so fresh and summery. Love all the flavors of this!
polwig
August 9, 2011 at 10:58 pmThis is the second tomatillo recipe I am seeing today and I am hunting these babies down and cooking some. I have been sheltered for too long 😉
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit
August 9, 2011 at 10:33 pmI’m with you on the “chips and salsa” thing. I could just about make a meal with a basket of chips and a bowl of good salsa or guacamole. Your salsa verde looks great- and I have plenty of tomatillos! 🙂
sophia
August 9, 2011 at 10:27 pmI’m actually not a fan of corn chips at all for some reason. Never liked them the first time I tried it, and still don’t. But the tomatillo salsa sounds lovely! I would love that with seafood. 🙂
Junia @ Mis Pensamientos
August 9, 2011 at 10:03 pmahhhh i love green salsa. my favorite spanish meal to make is green enchiladas!
Heather @girlichef
August 9, 2011 at 8:31 pmIt is a rare day when we don’t have a jar of salsa verde in the fridge. When it starts getting low, I run and grab a big ol’ basket of tomatillos and restock 😉 Yours looks fantastic. 😀
Angela
August 9, 2011 at 8:28 pmI think this is my favorite recipe you have every posted. I really wish I had a big bowl and a bag of chips right now!
yummychunklet
August 9, 2011 at 8:23 pmLooks delicious, and completely healthy!
Kay
August 9, 2011 at 8:20 pmI could eat a tire if it came with salsa or guacamole on it, haha. This looks great!
T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types
August 9, 2011 at 8:08 pmI wish I had this recipe a week ago. I had some fresh tomatillos from the farm, and had no idea what to do with them!
Kathleen
August 9, 2011 at 8:03 pmI join you in this addiction! Love this salsa!
Simply Life
August 9, 2011 at 7:45 pmI need to come to your support group -I’m an addict as well.
Sherilyn @ Wholepromise
August 9, 2011 at 7:26 pmYour addiction is totally warranted when putting up salsa like this. The ingredients list sounds delicious. Hope you enjoyed it.
bellini
August 9, 2011 at 7:21 pmThis makes me want to hop on a plane to southern climates Maris.
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
August 9, 2011 at 7:02 pmthat salsa looks PERFECT! and thanks for your kind words on my photography earlier 🙂
amy @ fearless homemaker
August 9, 2011 at 6:40 pmmmm, i love tomatillo salsa, especially on enchiladas. so fresh + summery!
Style, She Wrote
August 9, 2011 at 6:30 pmLooks so yummy! xo style, she wrote
Erica
August 9, 2011 at 6:03 pmI would take chips and salsa over any sweet, any day! Obsessed. I haven’t tried a tomatillo salsa…looks so pretty. Must try!
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)
August 9, 2011 at 5:59 pmI don’t know why more grocery stores don’t carry tomatillos. They’re not all that easy to find here, except in Latino markets. Salsa verde is great with pasta, too.
Greg
August 9, 2011 at 5:59 pmOh you roast the tomatillos, must taste great. I love chips and salsa too, which kind of sounds funny. Does anyone hate them? Great post.
camille
August 9, 2011 at 5:29 pmI love tomatillos and I’m fortunate to live in a neighbourhood where they’re in the produce section of the grocery store (my mom, back in Vancouver, for instance, can only buy them canned at her grocery store). I need to use them more, though. This is a good way to get on that!
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.
August 9, 2011 at 5:20 pmyum! This looks so good and fresh