A lot of people's experience with salsa begins and ends with the mass-marketed grocery store salsas. Usually on the milder side and mostly made from tomato, these are definitely the type which most Americans are familiar with. While this is a style of salsa that you will also run across in Mexico, there are many other kinds of Mexican salsas to choose from at specialty shops; you can also make your own at home.
Over the last decade or so, salsa has really caught on with the American palate, managing to overtake ketchup as the best selling condiment in America. The most popular type is the mild tomato-based one discussed above, but there are a lot of different varieties you may want to try. While many are spicier than what you may be familiar with, fear not: there are Mexican salsas for every palate, from the most heat-averse to the most adventurous.
As it happens, salsa refers to a great number of different condiments and sauces. In fact, the word salsa is simply the Spanish word for sauce. However, when most of use the word, we are thinking of a specific type of condiment used largely in Mexican, southwestern and Tex-Mex cuisines. The world of Mexican salsas is a lot bigger than many of us think, with salsa recipes including a lot of different ingredients and some being quite a bit different than what we usually think of as salsa.
Other than the basic tomato salsa with onions. Herbs and peppers (usually jalapeno or Serrano peppers), you will also find many green salsas (called salsa verde in Spanish) which are made from tomatillos and green chilies. There are also salsas made from ground pumpkin seeds and nuts with chocolate and chilies, salsas made from dried chilies like pasilla and guajillo peppers and even fruits!
Perhaps you like Mexican food and are looking for a more restrained Mexican salsa recipe, which will still add a little variety to your table. How about a fruit salsa? Mango and peach salsas are both popular varieties, with the acidity and sweetness of the fruit playing well off of tomato and cilantro and lessening the kick of the hot peppers used. If you have never tried these kinds of salsa before, you are in for a real treat.
You can also make your own fruit salsas at home. While mangoes and peaches are both great choices, do not be afraid to experiment and find your own combinations. Pineapple, avocado, and other fruits can all be used in salsa with delicious results.
One of the easiest salsas to make is pico de gallo. The name means "rooster's beak" in Spanish and can be made in almost no time at all. You may have tried this salsa yourself in a restaurant; but it is easy and quick to make at home and it is an ideal complement for many Mexican dishes as well as being a great dip for tortilla chips. The recipe is very simple, calling for diced tomato, onion and jalapeno along with cilantro and a little limejuice. It is simplicity itself, but incredibly good.
Unfortunately, we do not have nearly enough time to tell you about all of the many variations on Mexican salsas which you could try at home. These ideas can get you off to a good start; with a little research and a little experimentation in your kitchen, you are sure to come up with some of your very own salsa recipes, which can add a little variety; and a little spice to your own Mexican creations.
About the Author:
Although fajitas are technically a Tex Mex creation rather than traditional Mexican, they are delicious nonetheless and they are typically great, like many other Mexican recipes. If you fancy fajitas tonight, you can make them easily at home for the family and there are lots of kinds of fajitas to choose from.
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