Yesterday, my daughter showed me the garden at her preschool and how big all the plants are getting. We loved seeing all the flowers blooming and the vegetables beginning to emerge. The tomatoes, while still green, were tempting us to pick them.

I started thinking about how much we love fresh-made salsa on a hot summer day, especially when the vegetables have come from our garden. Have you noticed how delicious and flavorful the tomatoes are that you’ve grown yourself? When you bite into the crisp chip holding the blend of tomatoes, onions and peppers, you mouth bursts with freshness.

Here’s my recipe for basic salsa. There are many variations and ways to mix it up.

Garden Fresh Salsa

4  medium tomatoes

1  small onion

1  serrano chili pepper, halved and seeded

2  tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice (or to taste)

Finely chop tomatoes and onions (A chopper or food processor works great.) Depending on your child’s tastes you can add as much of the pepper as you like.  If you leave it halved, it’s easy to make sure the kids don’t get a hot surprise. 

Combine the rest of the ingredients.  Mix well.  You can eat immediately or let it sit at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours before serving to let the flavors blend together.  Makes 1 ½ to 2 cups.  Serve with tortilla chips, celery, eggs or anything else you like. 

Kids love to be involved in making the salsa. Here’s a few steps they can help with at almost any age:

- Pick the cilantro off the stems
- Squeeze the lemon
- Chop the onions and tomatoes in a food processor or hand chopper (with parent’s help)
- Add salt and mix

Make sure a grown up handles the chili pepper and removes the seeds from it.

Using a quick chopper or speed salsa maker makes the process a piece of cake.  Your salsa can be ready in minutes and you can let your kids do most of the work without the worry of sharp knives. Amazon.com has a great selection of salsa making tools. Get ready for the summer sizzle and your fresh salsa from the garden.