Zesty Blueberry Citrus Salsa
This vibrant and refreshing Zesty Blueberry Citrus Salsa is the perfect accompaniment to elevate any summer meal. Bursting with the sweetness of fresh blueberries, the heat of charred jalapeno, and the zing of freshly squeezed lime juice, this salsa brings a delightful contrast of flavors and textures. Toss in fragrant herbs like basil and cilantro, and you have a versatile topping that pairs beautifully with grilled seafood, chicken, or duck. Serve it as a dip with crispy tortilla chips for a fun appetizer, or spoon it over your favorite proteins for a burst of color and flavor. Perfect for barbecues, picnics, or any gathering, this salsa is sure to impress your guests and leave them craving more. From 'True Blueberry: Delicious Recipes for Every Meal' by Linda Dannenberg.
8
Servings
20
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
jalapeno pepper
1 small (charred, skin removed, seeds discarded (optional))
fresh blueberries
2 1/2 cups (divided (2 cups for processing, 1/2 cup for mixing))
red onion
1/2 small (finely chopped)
red bell pepper
1/2 small (cored and seeded, finely chopped)
fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
coarse sea salt
1/2 teaspoon
fresh basil
1/2 cup (loosely packed, finely julienne)
fresh cilantro
1/3 cup (loosely packed, coarsely chopped)
extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon
fresh gingerroot
1/2 teaspoon (freshly grated)
fresh ground black pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
Preheat your broiler to high. Place the jalapeno pepper under the broiler and char it on all sides until the skin is blistered and blackened. Remove the pepper and immediately transfer it to a brown paper bag, seal the bag, and let it steam for about 10 minutes. This will help loosen the skin.
2
Meanwhile, in the bowl of a food processor, combine 2 cups of blueberries, the finely chopped red onion, and the red bell pepper. Process until the mixture is coarsely chopped, ensuring not to puree. Transfer this mixture to a large mixing bowl.
3
Once the jalapeno has steamed, carefully remove it from the bag. Wearing gloves or using a paper towel, trim off the stem, peel off the charred skin, and slice it in half. Remove the seeds (or leave some in for extra heat, if desired) and finely chop the jalapeno.
4
In the bowl with the blueberry mixture, add the chopped jalapeno, fresh lime juice, coarse sea salt, basil, cilantro, the remaining 1/2 cup of blueberries, extra virgin olive oil, freshly grated ginger, and black pepper to taste. Stir all the ingredients together until well combined.
5
Allow the salsa to sit at room temperature for about 1 hour to let the flavors meld together beautifully. Serve it with grilled dishes or as a standalone dip for tortilla chips.
Nutrition Information
0.9g
Fat
3.1g
Carbs
0.3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Blueberry Citrus Salsa?
It is a vibrant and refreshing salsa made with fresh blueberries, charred jalapeno, lime juice, and fragrant herbs like basil and cilantro.
What are the primary ingredients in this salsa?
The main ingredients include fresh blueberries, a jalapeno pepper, red onion, red bell pepper, lime juice, coarse sea salt, fresh basil, fresh cilantro, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh gingerroot.
How do you prepare the jalapeno for this recipe?
The jalapeno should be charred under a high broiler on all sides until the skin is blistered and blackened, then steamed in a sealed paper bag for 10 minutes.
Why should I place the charred jalapeno in a brown paper bag?
Steaming the charred jalapeno in a sealed bag for about 10 minutes helps loosen the skin, making it easier to peel.
How should the blueberries be processed?
2 cups of the blueberries should be coarsely chopped in a food processor along with the red onion and red bell pepper, ensuring the mixture is not pureed.
Are all the blueberries processed in the food processor?
No, only 2 cups are processed; the remaining 1/2 cup of blueberries is stirred in whole later to provide texture.
How can I adjust the heat level of the salsa?
You can discard all the jalapeno seeds for a milder flavor or leave some seeds in if you prefer extra heat.
How long should the salsa sit before serving?
The salsa should sit at room temperature for approximately 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
What proteins pair well with Zesty Blueberry Citrus Salsa?
This salsa pairs beautifully with grilled seafood, chicken, or duck.
Can this salsa be served as an appetizer?
Yes, it is excellent served as a standalone dip with crispy tortilla chips.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 8 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 20 calories.
What are the nutritional facts regarding fat and carbohydrates?
One serving has about 0.9g of fat and 3.1g of carbohydrates.
Is there protein in this blueberry salsa?
Yes, there is a small amount of protein, roughly 0.3g per serving.
Who is the author of this recipe?
The recipe is by Linda Dannenberg.
What book is this recipe sourced from?
It is from the book 'True Blueberry: Delicious Recipes for Every Meal'.
What type of salt is recommended for the best flavor?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of coarse sea salt.
How should the basil be prepared?
The fresh basil should be finely julienned.
Is fresh ginger used in this recipe?
Yes, it uses 1/2 teaspoon of freshly grated gingerroot.
What type of oil is included in the ingredients?
One tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil is used.
How is the red onion prepared?
Half of a small red onion should be finely chopped.
What kind of lime juice should be used?
The recipe specifies 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice.
How should the red bell pepper be prepped?
It should be cored, seeded, and finely chopped.
Can I use a food processor for the entire recipe?
A food processor is used for the initial chopping of blueberries and onions, but the final ingredients should be stirred together by hand to maintain texture.
Is this a good recipe for summer gatherings?
Yes, its vibrant colors and refreshing flavors make it perfect for barbecues and picnics.
What is the preparation style for the cilantro?
The cilantro should be loosely packed and coarsely chopped.
Should the salsa be refrigerated immediately?
The recipe suggests letting it sit at room temperature for an hour first to allow flavors to meld.
What is the total number of ingredients needed?
There are 11 distinct ingredients in this recipe.
What tags describe this recipe?
Tags include salsa, blueberry, lime, fresh, herb, grilled dishes, dip, sauce, summer recipe, and fruity.
Is the jalapeno skin left on?
No, the charred skin of the jalapeno should be peeled off and discarded after steaming.