There’s nothing quite like the burst of flavor from a bowl of fresh garden salsa. Made with ripe, homegrown ingredients, this salsa recipe captures the season’s essence in every bite. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener with a bounty of produce or simply looking to savor something fresh, this recipe is a must-try.
One of the secrets to an exceptional garden salsa lies in your chosen ingredients. When you grow your own vegetables, you can pick them at their peak. See below for some tips on identifying tomatoes that are ready to harvest.
Ingredients
Directions
Serve
Serve with chips or add to burritos.
Store in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to a week.
The flavor of a truly ripe tomato is sweet and flavorful. If the tomato tastes bland or overly tart, it may need more time on the vine.
Color: The most obvious sign is the color of the tomato. Depending on the variety, ripe tomatoes can range from red, orange, yellow, pink, or even purple. Look for vibrant, uniform color across the entire fruit. Green or pale areas usually indicate unripe tomatoes.
Firmness: Ripe tomatoes should be firm but yield slightly to gentle pressure when you squeeze them. They shouldn’t feel hard like a rock, nor should they be overly soft or mushy.
Texture: Examine the surface of the tomato. It should be smooth and glossy, without any wrinkles or blemishes. Wrinkles can be a sign of over-ripeness.
Size: Most tomatoes will reach their mature size before they fully ripen. Be familiar with the expected size of your specific tomato variety, and if they’ve reached that size, they are likely ready for harvest.
Gently grasp the tomato and twist it upward. If it easily separates from the stem with a slight twist, it’s likely ripe and ready to be picked. If the tomato resists, it may need more time on the vine.
Ripe tomatoes often have a sweet, earthy aroma at their stem end. Give it a sniff… if it smells rich and tomatoey, it’s probably ripe.