Summer Salsas and a CSA Box

July 19th, 2013

We are fortunate to be spending some time with our family in Cary this week.  Kristen and Michael receive a CSA box regularly with all that is in season from the local farmers.  The above photo shows some of the fruits and vegetables that were in last week’s box.  They received fresh blueberries, peaches, heirloom cherry tomatoes, two small watermelons, fresh sweet corn, cucumbers and sweet onions.

Kristen made two salsas to go with our freshly caught (cornmeal dusted) grouper.  The first one was a watermelon and blueberry salsa that also incorporated the cherry tomatoes.  The second one was a peach and mango salsa with a bit of heat from a jalapeno pepper.  When asked which was our favorite, none of us could declare either one the winner.  That was because both were winners in their own way.


Not only is Kristen a great cook, but her brother David (as in “restaurant chef”) came to dinner also and offered great tips on how to cook the grouper properly.  It was cooked to perfection with a light dusting of cornmeal before being fried on one side, flipped and finished in the oven.  What a beautiful plate of food with all of the bounty of summer upon it.  Enjoy these  salsas with any of your favorite main courses.

 

Peach/Mango Salsa:
4 ripe peaches (cut into small pieces)
2 mangos (cut into similar small pices)
1/2 red onion (diced)
3 tablespoons cilantro (chopped)
1/2 jalapeno, chopped (discard seeds for a milder salsa)
Juice from 1 1/2 limes
1/4 teaspoon salt
dash of coriander and cumin
Watermelon/Blueberry Salsa (recipe courtesy of Love & Olive Oil)

4 small Roma tomatoes, roughly chopped (we used heirloom cherry tomatoes)
1/2 small onion, chopped
1/2 jalapeno, chopped (discard seeds for a milder salsa)
1 cup diced watermelon
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
3 tablespoons lime juice (from 1 lime)
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions for both salsas:
*combine all ingredients in a bowl and let sit at room temperature or in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving.

13 responses to “Summer Salsas and a CSA Box”

  1. Penny @ The Comforts of Home says:

    Both salsas sound great. I do a very similar peach one. Looking forward to next weekend!
    Hugs,
    Penny

  2. KathyWalker says:

    Summer CSA boxes are so bountiful! We enjoy the surprises each week and then, of course, the challenge of preparing the weekly menus begins….your salsas look great!

  3. Larry says:

    I think CSA is a great program both for the growers and those without a garden. The entire meal looks and sounds delicious but I’m a little surprised you can catch grouper in the middle of NC.

    • Penny Klett says:

      Funny Larry. The grouper was not part of the CSA box but came from a local seafood shop that specializes in the freshest ocean catch.

  4. Sam@MyCarolinaKitchen says:

    I love fruit salsas and it definitely would be hard to chose a winner. Great job Kristen and David.
    Sam

  5. Darla says:

    Looks Amazing. Bet you enjoyed seeing those sweet grandkids. I’m looking forward to my week with them. Anxious to try Kristen’s amazing culinary delights!

  6. Pondside says:

    The two salsas sound so fresh and crunchy. I’ve never made one, but always enjoy them in restaurants. There’s some trout in the freezer, so perhaps I’ll give salsa a try to go with it.

  7. Lea Ann says:

    Both salsa’s sound really good Penny. Thanks for the recipes. I don’t know why that corn meal dusting wouldn’t work on any fish. I’ll have to try it soon.

  8. Cathy at Wives with Knives says:

    That is summer on a plate, Penny. A good salsa can add so much flavor and zing to a meal.

  9. Chris says:

    Can’t decide which is best? What a great problem to have, lol.

  10. Jann Mumford says:

    What a meal!I need to try that salsa,I have all the peach ingredients right now! Happy to see you are home and cooking up a storm again!

  11. Susan says:

    What a wonderful program CSA is! I’m lucky enough to live close to a fantastic farmers’ market that’s open 3 days a week so get most of my veggies there in the summer. Great recipes and the grouper is making my mouth water.

  12. Mary Sullivan says:

    Yummy, that looked awesome – the flavors are wafting through the screen!!!!

    Glad you’re home safely – loved reading your trip highlites! It all looked wonderful.

    Hugs -Mary

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