Heirloom Tomato Salsa Cruda

 

September is such a great month for tomatoes here in New York, and my CSA is coming through with huge quantities of them. Not just any tomatoes, either, but gorgeous heirloom varieties. The bulk of this weekend has been about tomato recipes when I haven't been snacking on them just as they are.

Salsa cruda (also known as pico de gallo) is one of my very favorite things in the world. It's always made with raw ingredients-- typically tomatoes, lime juice, chili peppers, onions and cilantro, and it's a cut above other salsa recipes, in my opinion. I never make any other kind anymore. Until yesterday, though, I had never made salsa with heirloom tomatoes-- I generally use big old Jerseys-- but having done so, I think I've spoiled myself for any other kind. The tartness of the green zebras against the sweetness of the yellow and red ones (I'm not sure what varieties we got for those) is just sublime.

Heirloom Tomato Salsa Cruda

3 - 4 heirloom tomatoes (mix up the varieties!)
1 - 2 jalapenos
1 small white onion
1 lime
1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro

Finely chop the tomatoes, jalapenos and onion and combine in a bowl. Cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice, one half at a time, over the chopped vegetables, to taste. Add the cilantro and stir. Cover and let site for an hour to marry the flavors. Taste and adjust according to preference (you may want more chili or cilantro or lime juice).

Comments

[adele]

I've been remiss in making trips to farmer's markets this summer. *guilty expression*

I guess I'd better get in as many visits as I can before the tomatoes run out.

[Deeba]

Good to see you back in action Ann. Hope things are getting on good. The name Heirloom Tomato Salsa Cruda itself has such an intriguing twist to it, the taste must be outstanding. If wishes were horses...until then, fo me, it'll be regular tomatoes!! LOL!! Take care girl.

[Manggy]

I actually didn't know that there were this few ingredients in salsa-- I even thought you had to salt it. Or maybe we just have to because of inferior tomatoes. It looks great, Ann!

[Tartelette]

You have been on my mind a lot lately and I hope everything is good. *hugs*
The salsa screams summer, drinks outdoors and a good time! Perfectly delicious!

[Aparna]

Such a simple dish. But then usually, the fewer the ingredients, the better the individual flavours come through.
I add a few more vegetables and a couple of fruits to this and it becomes my usual lunchtime salad.

[Núria]

We have amazing tomatoes here too now! So flavourful and meaty! Your seasoning sounds great and the salad is the kind I like when the heat is on ;D

[grace]

simple and beautiful and healthy and delicious--it's hard to beat that combo! your maters look fantastic. :)

[Sophie]

Yes, my mother is a genius =)

This is so simple and delicious...and I know it tastes amazing because it's my absolute favorite salsa ever. Ever.

[Biz]

I think lime juice makes a salsa! I wish I loved chunky salsa, because it looks so darn good!

[Susan from Food Blogga]

I just love light and refreshing salsas like this on grilled fish. Maybe I'll make some tonight. Yours looks beautiful!

[michelle]

Oh, that's one of the things I miss the most about our CSA from Oregon - we would make gallons of this stuff with all the extra tomatoes. Now I pay a premium for them here, so I don't get it as much (in fact, not at all yet, but maybe that will have to change soon :) Looks delicious!

[Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)]

Just looking at your photo, I think I can taste the salsa! Beautiful.

[giz]

This would keep me happy until the whole thing was gone.

[Susan]

So good, so good. Heirlooms make a very festive and flavorful pico de gallo. I'm going to miss these babies when they're gone. I'm partial to the striped ones, too.

[zenchef]

I've been getting lots of heirloom varieties out on Long Island too. I loove them so much. Pico de gallo is a great use for it. Yum! Enjoy them while they last!

[Bellini Valli]

With the heirloom tomatoes this would be over the top:D

[Lori Lynn @ Taste With The Eyes]

Hi Ann - This recipe ROCKS. But something else that I think is great - your photo with those hazy jalapenos off to the side. Love it!

[dhanggit]

oh i see this perfect for grilled fish!! yay!

[Marla]

Made this today -- added two small chili pepppers for heat -- it's delicious -- and so pretty in the bowl! Hope you are hanging in there. Good thoughts for you.

[Astra Libris]

The vibrant colors of your salsa are incredible!

[Lane]

Now this is salsa! not that stuff you get in a jar from the store. I think I could eat pico de gallo everyday! its just sooo good. I was just working with a Latino restaurant and they did not have anything like this on there menu. They believed it would not sell. but I kept telling them, "There are lots of people that love it, they just dont know what its called." Long story short I re did there restaurant menu design and now there getting a lot move business.

[VVS-Hedestoker]

Thanks for sharing this absolutely yummy recipe. Will come in handy.

[Sandra@ chicago web design]

Nice recipe, quick and easy to make. Yummy and tempting. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

[Sean (Orginal Gourmet)]

I whipped this recipe up this past weekend for guests and they loved it! It was very simple to make too. I can't wait to try it at the end of the summer with the fresh tomatoes from my garden.

[Mexican foodie]

Wow! I am gonna try this recipe very soon for my family! Thanks a lot for a really nice and easy salsa!