We generally assume two things about salsa that we shouldn’t.
First, that it must involve tomatoes. Second, that the ingredients should be chopped. Because while chopped tomato salsas are delicious, you don’t want those to be your only experience. There are so many other delicious ways to enjoy fresh salsa.
To prove the point, I offer this shaved grapefruit and corn salsa that gets its bite from jalapeno chilies and red radishes. The shaving — best done by a mandoline, though a food processor also could be used — produces a salsa that manages to be both substantial and light. The paper-thin slices of onion also better absorb the other flavors.
Lime juice and vinegar are the traditional sources of acid in many salsas (in addition to the tomatoes), but this version gets all it needs from the grapefruit juice. A hit of sugar and the corn add the perfect sweet balance to the heat and acidity, and a bit of garlic ties it all together.
Though this salsa is perfect with chips for scooping, also consider spooning it over grilled fish, such as salmon.
GRAPEFRUIT AND CORN SUMMER SALSA
Start to finish: 10 minutes
Makes 6 servings
1 small red onion
4 medium red radishes
4 cloves garlic
1/2 jalapeno pepper, ribs and seeds discarded
1 large ruby red grapefruit
1 ear corn
1 teaspoon sugar
Salt and ground black pepper
Nutrition information per serving: 45 calories; 5 calories from fat (11 percent of total calories); 0 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 11 g carbohydrate; 1 g fiber; 6 g sugar; 1 g protein; 85 mg sodium.
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