Homemade Salsa with Charred Tomatoes

Salsa Salsa Salsa – Fresh Homemade salsa made with charred tomatoes!

Fresh homemade salsa is the best, even in the middle of the winter when there just aren’t any garden fresh tomatoes,  freshly picked onions, or any cilantro blowing gently in my garden.  However, all the required ingredients can be bought from any local grocery store in the produce department.   

My brother’s girlfriend, Tania taught me some tricks to make this out-of-season condiment extra delicious. The key to taking this from good to great is using a flat, cast iron griddle. (any cast iron will do) You put all the veggies, except the scallions and cilantro on the griddle.  The goal is a char – but not a burn.  You are looking for some black. It adds interesting color and flavor.

To char your tomatoes, onions, and peppers, use a cast iron grill.  Anything cast iron will work, and in a pinch, you can use a non-stick pan too. For the jalapeno, you can seed first then char, or char first then seed. Really it’s up to you, but unless you like really spicy you will want to remove the seeds. Because my family has a fairly mild mouth,I often add just a small amount of jalapeno, puree, taste and add more as needed. Keep in mind, the flavors will continue to develop as the salsa sits for a while, so the heat can intensify as well.

This salsa is perfect for chip dipping as well as added to breakfast burritos, tacos, or beans. Roma tomatoes are nice and meaty and are perfect for this salsa. If using other tomatoes, I often slice them after charring and remove most of the seeds and liquid pulp. This helps prevent a runny salsa. 

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Salsa

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

50 mins

 

Homemade Salsa with charred tomatoes.

Course: Condiment

: Mexican

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 20 kcal

Author: Kathy

Ingredients

• 5 whole Roma Tomatoes
• 1 - 2 whole Jalapeño Peppers - depending on size and your taste.
• 1/2 whole Onion - Yellow or White
• 1/4 cup Bunch Cilantro Chopped
• 1/2 whole Lime
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 5 whole Green Scallions Chopped

Instructions

1. Place tomatoes, jalapeños, and 1/2 onion on hot cast iron pan. Turn ingredients so you achieve a nice char on all sides.
2. When jalapeño is nicely blackened, place on a cutting board and cut off top and remove seeds.
3. Place charred items in the food processor. Puree everything until no large pieces remain.
4. Add cilantro. Pulse just until mixed.
5. Transfer to mixing bowl.
6. Stir in salt, juice of lime, and chopped green scallions.
7. Taste and add additional salt if needed.

Nutrition Facts

Salsa

Amount Per Serving

Calories 20

% Daily Value*

Sodium 194mg 8%

Vitamin A 0.9%

Vitamin C 0.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Other great recipes to try:

Baked Corn Tortilla Chips

Crock Pot Refried Beans

Mexican Shredded Chicken