Who says salsa has to be made from tomatoes? Or dumped unceremoniously from a jar?
With all of summer’s bounty, there are plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables that make fantastic salsas. Scoop them up with chips or crackers, or add them to sandwiches, salads, burgers and tacos. We came up with three simple salsas, but they are easily tweaked to whatever is fresh or happens to be in your refrigerator. Switch out the apples for peaches or plums, even chopped strawberries. Don’t like dill? Opt for basil or tarragon.
APPLE-PEPPER SALSA
Start to finish: 10 minutes
Makes 3 cups
1 large crisp-tart apple (such as Fuji or Gala), cored and chopped
2 bell peppers (any color), cored and chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon lime juice
Salt and ground black pepper
Nutrition information per 1/2 cup: 40 calories; 0 calories from fat (0 percent of total calories); 0 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 10 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 6 g sugar; 1 g protein; 85 mg sodium.
CUCUMBER-CORN SALSA
Start to finish: 10 minutes
Makes 3 cups
2 ears of corn, husks and silk removed
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
4 scallions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Hot sauce, to taste
Salt and ground black pepper
Nutrition information 1/2 cup: 45 calories; 10 calories from fat (22 percent of total calories); 1 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 10 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 3 g sugar; 2 g protein; 105 mg sodium.
STRAWBERRY-FENNEL SALSA
Start to finish: 10 minutes
Makes 3 cups
1 fennel bulb, chopped
1 1/2 cups strawberries, hulled and diced
1 medium shallot, minced
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar or sherry vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh tarragon, minced
1/2 small hot pepper (such as jalapeno), minced
Salt and ground black pepper
Nutrition information 1/2 cup: 30 calories; 0 calories from fat (0 percent of total calories); 0 g fat (0 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 0 mg cholesterol; 7 g carbohydrate; 2 g fiber; 3 g sugar; 1 g protein; 105 mg sodium.
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