Pumpkin Salsa

We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are.

-Adelle Davis

Originated from Central America ,Salsa is the Spanish word for “Sauce”.A chunky sauce,Salsa has been used as a dip and can be served with -from nachos to potato wedges , as a spread with tortillas to pastas and spaghetti ..basically just with anything . One thing that I really love about Salsa is its chunkiness,once you savor the freshness and its robust flavor there is just no turning back.This mouthwatering treat is a sure hit wen used as a dip with celery . I tried this classic goodness with the addition of pumpkin to the original recipe,it was well worth making.and the end result was tasty ,sweet and just spiced up anything.

Ingredients:

4 large  tomatoes, chopped

1/2 cup chopped or thickly grated pumpkin

1-2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 large onion, finely chopped

1/2 large  bell pepper, finely chopped

¼ teaspoon of Sugar (to reduce acidity of tomatoes)

1 whole jalapeno pepper, finely chopped

1 tsp Chilli powder(optional)

1 small bunch of cilantro/parsley/coriander leaves, finely chopped

Juice from ¼ lemon

1 to 2 tbsp Olive Oil

Method:

Place a small amount of Olive Oil in a sauce pan.

Heat over low heat, then add onion, garlic and bell pepper and pumpkin and cook until the onion is clear and the peppers and the pumpkin are slightly softened.Add tomatoes as well as the juice of these tomatoes.

Cook over low heat slowly until the tomatoes and other ingredients form a thickened sauce.Add the fresh parsley and simmer for 10 minutes over low heat. Add salt and pepper to your liking.

Tip:

It is very important to cook this Tomato Salsa dip over a low heat (simmer) so that all of the ingredients cook slowly and blend naturally together for the best flavour.

Serving Tips:

Some great uses for this dip include:

-Serve with baked tortilla chips ,pasta,crisp veggies,on toasts..

- Place Nachos in a baking dish, and top them with your fresh homemade Spanish Tomato Salsa Dip and Mozzarella or Cheddar Cheese. Warm this dish in your oven until the cheese melts and becomes slightly crispy. Mmmmm.

- Serve this Salsa with Guacamole and Sour Cream as fillers for Chicken Fajitas or Tacos.

- Serve as a dipping sauce for Crisps.

- Spoon over Meat, Poultry or Fish to give them a Spanish flavour.