By Toi Degree
N.C. Cooperative Extension

In English, the word salsa has two spicy meanings — a lively Latin American music and dance style, and a delicious, often spicy sauce commonly served with Mexican or Tex-Mex dishes.

 Salsa music and dance

Rooted in Afro-Cuban and Afro-Caribbean rhythms, salsa music evolved with strong influences from jazz and rock. It’s vibrant, energetic and meant to make you move.

Salsa as a sauce

In Spanish, salsa simply means “sauce,” but in English, it usually refers to the zesty Mexican-style condiments we love with tacos and tortilla chips. These salsas can be raw or cooked and are typically served at room temperature.

• Popular types include chunky tomato-and-chili pico de gallo and tangy salsa verde.
• While tortilla chips with salsa are a staple in Mexican-American restaurants, this pairing is not common in Mexico itself.
• Tomato-based salsas have expanded to include variations with fruit, corn and black beans.

Sweet & fruity twists

Since the 2000s, fruit salsas — blending sweet fruits with spicy peppers like habanero or Scotch bonnet — have gained popularity. These salsas are even served with desserts like cheesecake and pound cake. They’re a tasty and colorful way to enjoy seasonal fruits all year round. Below are examples of seasonal fruit:

• Winter fruit

• Spring fruit

• Summer fruit

• Fall fruit

• Oranges

• Strawberries

• Kiwi

• Grapes

• Pears

• Pineapple

• Blackberries

• Mangos

• Grapefruit

• Apricots

• Watermelon

• Raspberries

In the United States, salsa is used in many ways, including marinades, salad dressings, stews and cooked sauces. In addition to accompanying various fish, poultry and meat dishes, it is also used as a condiment for baked potatoes, pasta dishes and pizza.

Salsa is also very easy to make. I will drop the link to a few recipes that you might want to try.

Blender Salsa — https://food.unl.edu/recipe/blender-salsa/

Fresh Salsa — https://food.unl.edu/recipe/fresh-salsa/

Fresh Salsa (Pico de Gallo) —

https://food.unl.edu/recipe/fresh-salsa-pico-de-gallo/

Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips —

https://food.unl.edu/recipe/fruit-salsa-and-cinnamon-chips/

Toi N. Degree is associate family and consumer education agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Contact her at 704-216-8970 or toi_degree@ncsu.edu.