Salsa Verde
This tangy, flavorful salsa is great to use on enchiladas, chilaquiles, or just eat it straight with tortilla chips. I learned of this recipe from my coworker Danny. He had brought in a much more fiery version (made with habanero instead of serrano chili) to work a few months back and we all enjoyed it with tortilla chips. Ah, those were the days when we could freely share food and not worry about catching anything! I miss those days but I’m glad I was able to jot down his method and share it with you. To stay true to his recipe, omit the lime juice and cilantro. If you prefer a less spicy salsa, omit the serrano chili. Happy Cinco de Mayo! For a brief history of the celebration, see below.
Salsa Verde
Makes: About 2 cups
Calories: About 15 per 2 Tbs
Time: 20 mins
INGREDIENTS
10 green tomatoes (tomatillos)
2 jalapeños
1 serrano chili (omit for mild salsa)
3 cloves garlic, with their skin on
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 Tbs. lime juice
1/4 cup water or chicken broth
Salt to taste
METHOD
Step 1
Set broiler on high. Place tomatillos, jalapeños, chili, and garlic in a shallow baking pan. Broil for about 4-5 minutes. Turn the veggies over and broil for another 4-5 minutes. Take out the jalapeños, chili, and garlic as they start to burn, place in a bowl, and cover to trap steam. Take out the tomatillos when they are burned on both sides. Place in bowl with the rest of the veggies. Cool slightly.
Step 2
Place warm veggies in a blender with cilantro, lime juice, and water or chicken broth. Blend to desired consistency. Check for salt and adjust if necessary.
Cinco de Mayo
While it’s a common mistake to confuse it for Mexican Independence Day, Cinco de Mayo is actually a celebration that commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The victory at Puebla came into prominence in the US during the 1950s and 60s with Mexican immigrants (Chicanos). The holiday is more popularly celebrated in the US than in Mexico and during the 1980s, food & beverage corporations widely used it to capture the attention of the growing Mexican American community. Mexican Independence Day, which is the most important national holiday in Mexico, is celebrated on September 16.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo and https://obrag.org/2020/05/no-cinco-de-mayo-is-not-mexican-independence-day/
