Sizzling Salsa: Beyond Dip and Chips

The month of May is National Salsa Month, and I don’t mean the dance! Salsa is the perfect dipping sauce to spice up your meals. Salsa can be made or purchased with different levels of heat. So, whether you like it mild or extremely hot there’s a type of salsa for you.

Beyond the taste, salsa is also packed with nutrients that are good for you. From heart health to cancer protection, salsa is more than just a dip.

Why stop at dip and chips, you can use salsa at every meal. Read more below to find out how!

Salsa Breakdown

Not only is salsa delicious but it can also be a healthy addition to any meal. Let’s break down some of the main ingredients to show the health benefits of this spicy sauce:

• Tomatoes: Plump ripe tomatoes are a staple in all salsa recipes. Red tomatoes are a popular choice in salsas, but green tomato salsa is just as good. Tomatoes have high levels of the antioxidant lycopene. Lycopene is thought to reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. Tomatoes contain many vitamins including vitamins C, A, and B. Vitamin A can help aid your body in eye support, immune support, and thyroid hormone function.

• Chili Peppers: You can pick and choose the type(s) of chilies you want in your salsa.  As you might know, the type of chili you choose depends on how hot you would like it to be. Poblano peppers are one of the milder chili peppers used in salsa while jalapenos are medium in heat. Serrano peppers are hotter than jalapenos and are commonly used in salsa. Habaneros are the hottest of the hot, caveat emptor! Chilies contain antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E, and potassium and folic acid.

• Onions: The onions complement the chilies and tomatoes well because they have a way of absorbing their flavors while providing their own essence.  They are rich in vitamins, fiber, and iron.

• Lemon Juice: Salsa has another vitamin C-packed ingredient, lemon juice. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that fights off free radicals and helps protect against cancer. Lemon also contains potassium. Zesty lemon juice amps up the taste of salsa.

• Garlic: You wouldn’t want to waste garlic on fighting vampires when you can make salsa with it. Though garlic has a strong pungent taste when eaten alone, it acts as a flavor booster in salsa. Garlic is packed with vitamins and nutrients such as protein, vitamins B, B2, A, C plus calcium, protein, zinc, and more.

Salsa Throughout the Day

Look beyond the tortilla chip! There are so many delicious ways that you can incorporate salsa into every meal. Replacing condiments with salsa is an excellent way to include flavor and more vegetables.

Salsa at Breakfast: There is nothing yummier than a breakfast quesadilla. Pair your cheesy breakfast with salsa to enhance its flavor!

Salsa at Lunch: Salsa packs a ton of flavor and can be a great addition to your next bowl of soup or chili.

Salsa at Dinner: Enhance your chicken by seasoning it with zesty taco seasoning and sprinkling shredded cheese as it cooks. Complete your flavorful creation by generously topping it off with salsa!

Salsa for Snack Time: Salsa and chips make the ultimate pair. However, you can great as creative as you want by using different foods to dip into your salsa. Try out fresh chopped veggies or whole wheat crackers, both provide you with fiber.

Whichever way to decide to enjoy salsa this month, be sure to make enough to share! There are many wonderful resources available to assist you in finding the perfect salsa recipe, such as my most recent cookbook, Enjoying Food Peace: Recipes and Intuitive Eating Wisdom to Nourish Your Body and Mind, which you can purchase here if you haven’t already.

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