Help me recreate the first salsa I ever had

May 1, 2014 3:04 AM

The first salsa I ever had was delicious. Chopped fresh tomatoes, lots of coriander/cilantro. I was introduced to it in Petaluma in 1990. A plastic tub. It may have had a picture of a parrot on the top. I'm not sure if I bought it (regularly) at the Safeway or the organic/health food store. Do you remember this salsa? Have you re-created it? Know a close approximation? Please share.
posted by hifimofo to Food & Drink (9 answers total)

I'm not familiar with that brand (or any brand of ready-made salsa, really) But that kind of basic tomato salsa is incredibly easy to make. All you need is:

Fresh tomatoes, skinned, deseeded and chopped (or tinned chopped tomatoes, drained, which can be even better than fresh if you get the right brand).
Red onion, finely chopped.
Coriander/cilantro to taste.
Lime juice to taste.
Red/green chilies, finely diced (variety and amount depending on taste or availability).
Salt, and maybe a pinch of sugar to correct the sweetness of the tomatoes if necessary.

I make this in bulk for pretty much every outdoor eating occasion, and people rave about it. The proportions aren't critical - you can adjust things as you make it. The fresh ingredients are what make it taste so much better than the stuff you get in a jar - well, that and the salt...
posted by pipeski at 3:23 AM on May 1, 2014 [3 favorites]

Was it just Budget Bytes: pico de gallo recipe? Its a salsa with just chopped fresh tomatoes, onion, cilantro, lime juice & salt. Super tasty, and super quick to make. Needs good ripe fresh tomatoes though. Can add chopped hot peppers if you want to heat it up.
posted by TheAdamist at 3:25 AM on May 1, 2014 [2 favorites]

Herdez salsa, which I can buy at both Wegman's and Food Lion, might be close. I don't think it has the coriander, but it's a cliantro heavy salsa and our family's favorite store bought option. I try to keep a couple of bottle in the pantry at all times.
posted by COD at 5:11 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]

Pioneer Woman salsa recipe sounds similar. Lots of cilantro.
posted by kuanes at 5:11 AM on May 1, 2014 [1 favorite]

Did it happen to be Parrot Brand salsa with roasted garlic?
posted by Room 641-A at 5:21 AM on May 1, 2014

FYI, Parrot Brand is now defunct, so you should experiment around to get the flavor you like.

One thing is, if you like roasted garlic, get a whole clove of garlic and drizzle olive oil on it, then roast in the oven for about 30 minutes (low heat). Once the clove has softened, squeeze the cloves out gently into your bowl. Sweet, soft garlic.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:34 AM on May 1, 2014

Best answer: La Casa Restaurant in Sonoma sells their salsa locally, it has a parrot on it. I remember their salsa being of the smoother variety, but they may produce a pico de gallo variety as well.
posted by modofo at 12:24 PM on May 1, 2014

Response by poster: I think modofo might have found the brand.

My memory could be wrong. I'll try contacting them via their facebook page.
posted by hifimofo at 2:54 PM on May 1, 2014

Response by poster: It turns out that La Casa did not do a pico de gallo, so my memory is off.

Guess I'll just have to start experimenting.

Thanks everyone!
posted by hifimofo at 3:46 PM on May 1, 2014