Garden Fresh Cucumber Tomato Salsa
Bright, vibrant, and irresistibly crunchy, this Garden Fresh Cucumber Tomato Salsa is the perfect way to celebrate the bounty of your garden. Bursting with the refreshing flavors of garden-fresh vegetables, this salsa not only elevates your snacking game but also serves as a fabulous topping for tacos, grilled chicken, or fish. Utilizing surplus cucumbers and ripe tomatoes, this recipe is an exceptional alternative to traditional pickles. Whether served at a summer picnic or as a quick and healthy snack, this salsa is sure to be a favorite for all ages. Chilling it allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a refreshing treat that’s perfect on hot days.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cucumbers
2 medium (peeled, seeded, and chopped)
Tomatoes
2 medium (chopped)
Green Bell Pepper
1/2 cup (chopped)
Jalapeño Pepper
1 (seeded and minced)
Onion
1 small (chopped)
Garlic
1 clove (minced)
Fresh Lime Juice
2 tablespoons (squeezed)
Fresh Parsley
1 teaspoon (minced)
Fresh Cilantro
2 teaspoons (minced)
Dried Dill Weed
1/2 teaspoon (dried)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Instructions
1
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, green bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, onion, and garlic, stirring gently to mix.
2
Drizzle the fresh lime juice over the mixture, then add the minced parsley, cilantro, dried dill weed, and salt.
3
Toss all the ingredients together until evenly coated.
4
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld.
5
Before serving, give the salsa a gentle stir and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve chilled with crispy tortilla chips for dipping.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Garden Fresh Cucumber Tomato Salsa?
It is a bright, vibrant, and crunchy salsa made with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs, perfect as a snack or topping.
What are the main ingredients in this salsa?
The main ingredients include cucumbers, tomatoes, green bell pepper, jalapeño, onion, garlic, lime juice, parsley, cilantro, dill, and salt.
How should I prepare the cucumbers?
Cucumbers should be peeled, seeded, and then chopped into small pieces for the best texture.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has a mild heat from one seeded and minced jalapeño pepper, which can be adjusted to your preference.
Can I use this salsa as a topping?
Yes, it serves as a fabulous topping for tacos, grilled chicken, or grilled fish.
How long does the salsa need to refrigerate?
The recipe recommends refrigerating the salsa for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Is this salsa vegan?
Yes, this recipe is vegan as it consists entirely of vegetables, herbs, and citrus juice.
What should I serve with this salsa?
It is traditionally served chilled with crispy tortilla chips for dipping.
Can I use dried herbs?
The recipe specifically calls for dried dill weed, while parsley and cilantro are used fresh.
Does this salsa contain oil?
No, this is an oil-free recipe, relying on lime juice for its liquid base.
Is it necessary to seed the tomatoes?
While the recipe just says chopped, seeding the tomatoes can help prevent the salsa from becoming too watery.
Can I substitute the green bell pepper?
Yes, you can use red, orange, or yellow bell peppers for a slightly sweeter flavor profile.
What type of onion works best?
The recipe calls for a small chopped onion; white, yellow, or red onions all work well.
Is this a healthy snack option?
Yes, it is a very healthy, low-calorie snack packed with fresh garden vegetables.
Can I make this salsa ahead of time?
Yes, making it a few hours in advance is actually better as it allows the flavors to develop.
How do I store leftovers?
Keep leftovers in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator.
How many cucumbers do I need?
You will need 2 medium-sized cucumbers for this recipe.
How much lime juice is required?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of fresh squeezed lime juice.
What if I don't have fresh cilantro?
You can substitute with extra parsley or omit it if you are not a fan of cilantro.
Is this salsa a good alternative to pickles?
Yes, it is described as an exceptional alternative to traditional pickles for utilizing surplus cucumbers.
How many garlic cloves are used?
One minced garlic clove is sufficient for this recipe.
What is the texture of this salsa?
It has a very crunchy and fresh texture due to the raw cucumbers and peppers.
Can I freeze this salsa?
Freezing is not recommended as the fresh vegetables will lose their crisp texture once thawed.
Should I peel the tomatoes?
The recipe does not require peeling the tomatoes, just chopping them.
Can I add more salt?
Yes, you can adjust the salt to your personal taste before serving.
Is this salsa gluten-free?
Yes, all ingredients used in this recipe are naturally gluten-free.
Can I add other vegetables?
Certainly, ingredients like corn or black beans would make great additions to this base.
How should I chop the ingredients?
For the best salsa consistency, try to chop all vegetables into uniform, small pieces.
Is this recipe suitable for kids?
Yes, it is a healthy snack for all ages, though you may want to reduce the jalapeño for sensitive palates.
Why is fresh lime juice preferred?
Fresh lime juice provides a brighter, more acidic punch that complements the garden-fresh vegetables better than bottled juice.