Just North of the Border Salsa

Happy Wednesday!  Today at The Slow Roasted Italian we are celebrating with "The Happy Hour" and spotlighting a little pick me up to get you through mid-week.  Here at TSRI every Wednesday we will be bringing you fantastic dishes to celebrate The Happy Hour.

Today, we start with a Happy Hour staple here in the Southwest.  We bring you a fabulous salsa Mr. W and I created.  We call it "Just North of the Border Salsa".  Living in Arizona we truly are just 'North of the Border', so it was fitting.  I personally like a more fresh tasting salsa, one that I can eat without constantly dabbing my eyes and nose. Oh and I prefer not to have to take in a gallon of liquids to try to put out the fire (which doesn't work anyway, try a milk based remedy.  I like to use a spoon of vanilla ice cream to sooth my taste bud fires).

I have to say that my idea of salsa before I moved here was a couple tomatoes with green peppers and onions.  Anything hotter than that and I would run.  I think I mentioned before that my family is not really fond of spicy food.  My mom never cooked with hot peppers, not even in dried spice form.  When my parents came out to visit last year I had made a fantastic Mexican lasagna.  I toned it down a little, I really couldn't feel any heat at all.  My Dad was not happy with it, he looked as if he had just swallowed fire!  He about spit out his first bite.   So, I kept meals to no hotter than a light sprinkle of finely ground black pepper for the rest of his visit.  But, that gives you an idea of where I started.  The fact that I enjoy spice and heat now is pretty remarkable.  But, I love it.  I do not like things that are just hot for the sake of being hot.  I want a flavor profile to back that heat up.

This salsa is amazing, with an incredible flavor profile.  I would mark it "Medium" if I had to choose a heat index.  You may see it popping up from time to time on this blog.  I am thinking of incorporating it into a few dishes.  It really is THAT good!  Enjoy!

Looking for more happy hour dishes?  Check out "The Happy Hour" in the category section in the right  side bar. 

Just North of the Border Salsa
2 medium Roma tomatoes, rough chopped

Click here for a printable version of this recipe - The Slow Roasted Italian.com