Super Summer Salsas

When the temperatures hit the 100’s I look for cool and easy recipes to make at home.  Summer salsas are a refreshing solution – they are great as dips with tortilla chips or as toppings on grilled fish or chicken.  While I love traditional tomato salsa, some of my favorite salsas use fresh seasonal fruits like peaches, blueberries and watermelon. 

Try these family friendly salsa recipes with fruit from your local Farmers Market!

Watermelon Salsa

• 3 cups finely diced seedless watermelon
• 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
• 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup minced red onion
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Place watermelon, jalapeños, cilantro, lime juice and onion in a medium bowl; stir well to combine. Season with salt. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Blueberry Salsa

• 2 cups coarsely chopped fresh blueberries
• 1 cup whole fresh blueberries
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced
• 1/3 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Toss together coarsely chopped fresh blueberries, whole fresh blueberries, fresh lemon juice, chopped fresh cilantro, seeded and minced jalapeño peppers, diced red bell pepper, and kosher salt in a large bowl. Serve immediately, or cover and chill for eight hours.

To learn more healthy recipes, visit www.firsthealth.org/healthyliving.

Melissa Watford is a Health Education Specialist with FirstHealth Community Health Services.  She is responsible for planning, implementing and tracking health education programs in the community and providing health coaching to individuals in the Transition Care Clinic.