therapy salsa

Lots and lots.

my friend Juliet Hicks first made this salsa for me back in the summer of 1997 when we were working together at Diamond Circle Melodrama in Durango, Colorado. i’ve made it every summer since. i like it with those Tostitos Hint of Lime tortilla chips, but it’s also good with pita chips; grilled fish, pork, burgers; baked potatoes; polenta, etc. it’s also really good in a bowl, with a spoon, on a porch, in a rocking chair, with an icy, lime-laced Corona nestled between your knees. keep in mind that the amounts are estimates. you should add or subtract according to tastes. happy summer, y’all.

ingredients

5-6 ripe, but firm tomatoes; seeded (scoop all the goo out) and cut into 1/2-inch size pieces
1 1/2 cups fresh, raw corn, cut from the cob (this is the BEST, but if you don’t have, substitute thawed frozen corn. don’t thaw it in the microwave. just let it thaw in the sink in a colander. you can run some cold water over it. you don’t want it mushy. in a pinch, you can use canned (rinsed) corn)
1 ripe mango, peeled and chopped (or pineapple or papaya or peaches or nectarines or apricots; the ripeness is what matters)
1 red onion, peeled and chopped
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 bunch of scallions. i like the dark green parts too, but if you don’t, just use up to the light green.
1 generous handful of cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
1-2 fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped (if you like it spicy, leave a few seeds in)
1 can black beans, rinsed
the juice of 1-2 limes
1 packet of taco seasoning
salt and pepper to taste

directions

1
toss everything (EXCEPT the taco seasoning) into a large bowl, mix then season to taste with the taco seasoning. i usually only need 1/4-1/2 a packet b/c this stuff is SUPER salty and flavorful. season with salt and pepper to taste.
2
i like to let the salsa “rest” for a little while (20 minutes or so at room temp) covered with plastic wrap so the flavors can marry, and allow the salt to release juice from the tomatoes. at this point, stir it up, and if the salsa is a little dry, you can add more lime juice.
3
serve and enjoy!

Source: margaux