The Options for Salsa Are Endless

Fresh salsa

What is salsa? It certainly is a spirited Latin American (specifically Cuban) dance. The dance was coined with the name salsa because that was what the audience chanted in order to get the musicians to spice up and liven their music. What is salsa when we are not talking about the dance floor? For those of us with two left feet, we most often regard salsa as the delicious accoutrement to many Mexican or Latin American recipes.

What is salsa varieties? There are many types of salsa flavors and recipes using salsa. There is, of course, the classic mild salsa dip (which as its name suggest, is tomato based and very mild on the palate), pico de gallo salsa dips (which are fresh, uncooked tomatoes, onions, chiles, cilantro, and lime), and southwestern salsa recipes (which often add corn and beans). Salsa heat varies, of course, according to the types of spices and chiles used. For example, habanero salsa, which uses the spicy habanero pepper, is extremely hot. Conversely, corn salsa, which is often made with a milder poblano or bell pepper, produces less heat. What is salsa with the most heat in the world? Many chile afficionados cite salsas made with the ghost pepper, which can actually burn your skin if it comes in contact with it. In fact, the ghost pepper has a Scoville rating of close to one million. (Scoville is the rating assigned to chiles, and to give you an idea of the Ghost peppers heat, a jalapeno generally earns a Scoville rating of 3,500 to 8,000.)

What is salsa health value? Is it dense with calories and fat? Salsa nutrition varies, but generally it is regarded as a healthy option because fresh salsa calories are very few. In fact, authentic Mexican cuisine is not laden with refried beans and cheese. European and North American influences are more responsible for the calorie rich variations that are so popular today. What is salsa, according to indigenous Latin American people, is a blended recipe of fresh vegetables, fruit, and spices and peppers. What is salsa other than low in calories, fat, and cholesterol? Thanks to its many vegetables and fruit, salsa is also high in vitamin C. On average, a serving has about 15 calories, making it not only a delicious food, but a healthy one, too.