Right about now we are being completely overwhelmed with tomatoes & peppers from the garden in the Southern Alleghenies region- what can we do with all of this delicious fresh produce??!! Salsa Fresca is a great way to put those nightshades to use as a delicious sauce or dip for your next meal or snack! Spoon salsa over grilled fish or chicken, use fresh salsa on tacos, or dip tortilla or pita chips into it for a light snack.
Salsa Fresca
Ingredients
- 3 large tomatoes, seeded, chopped (3 cups)
- 4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)
- 1 small green bell pepper, chopped (1/2 cup)
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 jalapeño chiles, seeded, finely chopped (1 tablespoon)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 to 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
- In large glass or plastic bowl, mix all ingredients.
- Cover; refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving to blend flavors.
Try a variation on this recipe & substitute fresh basil & red wine vinegar for the cilantro & lime juice and omit the peppers to make a scrumptious bruschetta dip or topping! YUM!
Though Salsa is delicious, it is also an incredibly nutritional snack/condiment as well.
Fresh tomatoes contain lycopene and carotenoid pigment that may help to prevent some forms of cancer by lessening the damage caused by free radicals. Tomatoes are also a good source of beta carotene and potassium.
Onions are low in calories, high in vitamin C, and a good source of fiber and other key nutrients.
Garlic is a tasty addition to any salsa. Medical studies have shown that garlic can lower cholesterol, prevent dangerous blood clots, reduce blood pressure, prevent cancer, and protect against bacterial and fungal infections.
Jalapeño Peppers are a good source of vitamin C, foliate and vitamin A .
Info on health benefits of salsa from:
http://www.catalogs.com/info/kitchen/why-is-homemade-salsa-healthy.html
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