Photo: Leigh Loftus
Spanish is the second most common language spoken in the US (following English, in case you were wondering). I know some people might think it’s because of an increase in the country’s Hispanic and Latin American population but I think there is a different reason.
The Spanish language is fun to speak.
There are accents and the Spanish ‘ñ.’ You can roll your ‘r’ and pronounce words that sound so much sexier than their English translations because you’re speaking another language, a romance language and and if you are fluent, you can speak it quickly and enthusiastically.
If you’re not fluent, it’s easy to fake.
Sort of.
Of course, another great part of the Spanish culture, aside from the language, is the food. I mean, I like tapas and I like eating dinner at 9 PM. Maybe I should pick up and move to Madrid.
When it comes to food, as a child I wasn’t very adventurous. In fact, I grew up on jars of salsa and liked to dip my chips into the saucy liquid part of the dip. No chunks of tomatoes, no onions, no “green stuff.”
I wasn’t necessarily anti-vegetable, but I liked salsa plain and simple and artificial.
In ninth grade I somehow discovered Newman’s Own Salsa in Pineapple.
I liked it all.
The sweet and salty chunks of fruit and tomatoes, the spicy green chiles. I was a salsa convert and despite my favoritism toward fruit salsas – peach, pineapple, mango – I also appreciate the sanctity of a fresh, simple salsa.
Photo: Leigh Loftus
- 1.5 pounds plum tomatoes (or 5 large tomatoes) seeded and finely chopped
- 1 can chopped green chiles, drained
- 1 jalapeño chile pepper, seeded and minced
- 1 large garlic clove minced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 small red onion, diced
- Pinch of oregano, if desired
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chop and peel tomatoes, reserving most of the juices and place in a medium mixing bowl.
- Mix in chopped green chiles, chopped red onion, minced garlic, jalapeño chile pepper and cilantro. Mix in and taste. Adjust if needed. Add oregano, and salt and pepper to taste.
15 Comments
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Chrissy
July 21, 2009 at 2:56 pmI love homemade salsa. Especially when it’s sitting next to homemade guacamole. 🙂 This recipe looks great! Although I learned in Spanish class that I am incapable of trilling my r’s. (Apparently there’s a critical period for learning that and I missed my window.) But I can fake it okay with a d-sound.
And thanks for your note recently. I have been too busy to think, breathe, or sleep lately, but I do keep meaning to get back here to see what you’re up to! Hopefully from now on I’ll be able to stop in more regularly. (Or, you know, at least whenever I’m hungry.)
Judy
July 16, 2009 at 8:27 pmYour salsa looks great. I love avocado in my salsa and I use either grilled, chopped onions or chopped green onions,lots of garlic, cilantro,lime juice, and chopped roasted red peppers with a bit of finely chopped serrano or jalapeno peppers. Yumm. Could eat it all day.
ttfn300
July 15, 2009 at 8:04 pmthis does look fantastic! i love all salsa, but black bean and corn holds a special place in my heart 🙂
Eralda
July 15, 2009 at 3:01 pmBeautiful salsa. It looks very delicious. Perfect for summer dipping and snacking!
Christina
July 14, 2009 at 10:40 pmI like corn and black bean salsa and like to put it on my veggie burgers when I do them mexican style. Other than that, I’m not too big of a salsa fan. Yours looks very pretty though!
Talita
July 14, 2009 at 6:03 pmQué rico! Your salsa looks delish! Well, I don’t what is my favorite salsa, depends on the kind of dish.
Bridgett
July 14, 2009 at 5:06 pmI like the simple version as well yet I would be interested in trying the Newman’s pineapple salsa. The colors on yours are so appealing and makes you want to dive right in.
unconfidentialcook
July 14, 2009 at 4:14 pmLooks really fresh and yummy! I just mixed some with a bit of guacamole and had it on a Mexican-spiced chicken burger from TJs.
Daryl
July 14, 2009 at 10:47 amLooks so fresh and crisp.Will go perfect with a nice frosty frozen margherita!!!
doggybloggy
July 14, 2009 at 8:30 amsalsa = suave
I like it any way I get it!
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)
July 14, 2009 at 6:38 amThe other thing I love about salsa is that it’s fat-free and super-healthy. My favorite is a purist’s version, too, and lately I’ve been serving it tossed with a bit of cooked shrimp, atop half an avocado. It’s the perfect lunch or a great appetizer for dinner. Olé!
Lara (Thinspired)
July 14, 2009 at 5:07 amYour salsa is beautiful! I have never done homemade salsa before but it seems like something that wouldn’t be that tough. My favorite is peach or mango salsa. I love sweet/smokey!