It’s Raining Tomatoes: Salsa

August 28, 2010

Somebody got really greedy at the Farmer’s Market tomato stand this summer. Ahem. Fine, call me a tomato glutton if you wish. Where summer tomatoes are concerned, there is no such thing as overkill.

Well, at least I didn’t *think* there was such a thing as Tomato Overkill, but this last trip just might have tested my limits. I’m sorta thinking my insides have turned to seeds.


I ate my favorite tomato sandwich. I made Kitchen Counter Spaghetti (recipe forthcoming). I made cobb salads, caprese salads, Greek salads. And still, I had a half-dozen heirloom tomatoes pouting at me from the colander, begging for use. So I decided to make them happy and salsa-fy them.

I’ve made homemade pico de gallo before (with all raw ingredients), but I actually like the addition of dried chiles in this recipe. They add a smokiness and depth that fresh chiles just can’t bring. We enjoyed this salsa in its simplest form, but it’d be great on just about anything. This recipe had some heat but wasn’t too serious…I’m saving that kind of punch for the fresh batch of Hatch chiles that arrived, at the Farmer’s Market, this past week. I loaded up the hot ones and the medium ones. Something tells me that there’s going to be some fire burning around here the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

Tomato-Glutton Salsa

6 heirloom or large summer tomatoes, seeded and diced (you can peel them if you wish but my tomatoes were so thin-skinned that I didn’t bother)

2 dried New Mexico chiles, stemmed and seeded

1-2 dried chiles de arbol, stemmed and seeded (these are the hot suckers, guys, so if you fear the spice, use 1 or even 1/2, and make sure you tap out all of the seeds!)

1/2 onion, finely diced

1 clove garlic, chopped

juice of one lime

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon chili powder (or to taste)

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

salt, pepper and cayenne pepper to taste

Place both kinds of dried chiles in a bowl. Cover with boiling water and let steep until softened and re-hydrated, about 15 minutes.

Set aside about 2/3 cup diced tomatoes.

Put remaining tomatoes, softened chiles, lime juice, garlic, cumin,  and chile powder in a blender or food processor. Blend until no large chunks remain. Pour into a large bowl.

Stir in reserved tomatoes, onion and cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper and, if you desire more heat, cayenne.

{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }

bryan August 28, 2010 at 3:51 am

Great picture! you really got it with that one. I love Salsa or Pico or whatever I can use fresh tomatoes in. Thia one looks great, you really can get a well balanced full flavor from the dried chilis

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Allison @ Alli 'n Son August 28, 2010 at 4:25 am

Ack, where was this recipe last week! I had about 10 tomatoes and made fresh salsa, but it doesn’t sound nearly as good as this recipe. I’ll bookmark this for next time.

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Phoo-d August 28, 2010 at 5:02 am

Love the pic! =) Chiles de arbol are awesome in salsa. I have a bunch of romas on my counter and need to make this!

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girlichef August 28, 2010 at 5:36 am

I’m with you, no such thing as summer tomato overkill. LOVE it! Chiles and tomatoes are two for my favorite things ;)

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Sarah @ Momalom August 28, 2010 at 6:08 am

Salsa is one of the only really fresh and yummy things I make all summer long…which makes my tomatoes happy because otherwise they’d be sitting in a pile of ROT like all the other vegetables I didn’t get to in time. Oh the great intentions…

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The Curious Cat August 28, 2010 at 6:14 am

yumm…I love salsa! :) xxx

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Heather August 28, 2010 at 6:49 am

That picture is beautiful! I’ve been looking for a good salsa recipe for the piles of tomatoes staring at me from my kitchen. This looks like the perfect recipe with just the right amount of kick!

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Lyndsey August 28, 2010 at 9:23 am

I like the smokey goodness of dried New Mexico chilies. Nice balance of flavors, it sounds really good! I couldn’t see the photo, maybe if I come back it will load up! IMO we don’t get the best tomatoes down here, not like the ones my mom used to grow. Sp I’m jealous!

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smita srivastava August 28, 2010 at 9:37 am

That looks so yummy !!! Thanks for sharing the wonderful recipe !!!

– Smita
http://www.littlefoodjunction.blogspot.com
( fun food ideas for picky eaters )

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Maria August 28, 2010 at 10:24 am

Love tomatoes, love salsa, love heat…Thank you!

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jc August 28, 2010 at 1:29 pm

know how much I loooove tomatoes?

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Aging Mommy August 28, 2010 at 5:39 pm

I love salsa with plenty of chips and guacamole and this sounds wonderful.

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camilla August 29, 2010 at 1:52 am

Yummo!! Delicious TKW and awesome photo- you’ve been practicing, really good.

Love the salsa…..ohhh love tomatoes too

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Paula August 29, 2010 at 5:29 am

I’m reading all about this fabulous picture and I don’t see it. Maybe it’s too early in the morning. I’ll check back.

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Barbara August 29, 2010 at 8:06 am

I had to go check out that tomato sandwich to make certain it was the same one I’ve been eating forever. It was. Yum. Now I want one for lunch.

You’ve got some great flavors in your tomato-glutton salsa. I say glutton away….tomatoes are super right now.

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Emily August 29, 2010 at 8:45 am

Pretty picture. I don’t think I am as good of a photographer as some of my fellow food bloggers, and that includes you! I am usually lazy on weekend mornings (It’s a luxury I can enjoy for a little while longer as I don’t have kids yet! Haha) so I never quite make it to the local farmers’ market. But I know I need to… it’s silly not to since I am always all about supporting local businesses.

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Linda at Bar Mitzvahzilla August 29, 2010 at 4:05 pm

Yum on the salsa. I’m actually famous (in my own mind) for making a great salsa. Jewish salsa, as it were. Secret: blending jalopeno slices so no one bites into one – important, I’ve found out! And what is more great than having fresh salsa in the house to eat all week with everything on the planet?

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Cathy August 29, 2010 at 4:36 pm

Oh tomato season, how I love thee! It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

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Erica@PinesLakeRedhead August 29, 2010 at 4:45 pm

Oooo! I can’t wait until the cooler weather and tomato season returns to Florida.

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Velva August 29, 2010 at 6:15 pm

I don’t think it is possible to eat too many summer tomatoes (smile). Your salsa is wonderful. I would love it! Your photo is really nice too.

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Christie @ Fresh Local and Best August 29, 2010 at 8:56 pm

I wouldn’t be ashamed of being a tomato glutton. There’s only three more weeks of summer, so I would take in as much of it as you can before they are all gone until next year. I like that you added dried chile to this salsa, I always thought that would work well, but never tried.

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Justine August 29, 2010 at 10:33 pm

I just love me a good spicy salsa. I can’t stand the gummy, manufactured flavors of the jarred ones. Homemade is best – and the one you have here is making me salivate. Yum.

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Tiffany August 30, 2010 at 6:49 am

Damn it, I can’t see the picture!!! I’m sure it’s great. I love homemade salsa…and this one sounds like it has the kick I desire!

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SuziCate August 30, 2010 at 7:04 am

Love tomato season. I haven’t gotten sick of them…yet.

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~Laura August 30, 2010 at 9:14 am

Love chips and salsa! Now, if you could just serve me up a margarita or mojito to go with this please, I’d be forever grateful! Thanks.

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FatFighterTV August 31, 2010 at 9:13 pm

I have not had any heirloom tomatoes yet! I must get some before they’re gone.

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elizabeth September 2, 2010 at 9:23 am

I could not see the photo until now–absolutely lovely! We’ve made SO MUCH SALSA this summer, and I would wager that more in in the cards for the holiday weekend because tomatoes are finally going to taste completely and utterly amazing.

I’ve only had dried chiles in cooked salsa–I’ll have to try it fresh. I must say that I am impressed with your heat tolerance with those arbols!

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Social Bookmarking July 15, 2012 at 9:34 am

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