Summer is here and that means outdoor fun and fresh foods! This salsa is grilled to add a smoky flavor, is full of fresh and healthy vegetables, and is an easy snack for those summer parties.

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Being in Oregon makes it pretty easy to find fresh foods because there are Farmer’s Markets everywhere. I prefer to buy local and fresh, it supports the local economy and tastes so much better.

Salsa is the one thing that I make every summer. We usually can salsa at the end of the summer so we have a hefty stock. One of our summer’s batches led to my first post on Sage to Silver, Canning 101: Green Chili Salsa.

Canning is a great way to make fresh foods that will last for months. Sometimes you need a quicker option. Fresh salsa is super easy to make; it only takes a few ingredients, a food processor, and about 30 minutes.

First things first, the ingredients are the most important part. With this recipe, you can either use fresh tomatoes or a 28 oz. can of peeled tomatoes. If you prefer a hotter salsa, try a different pepper. Personally, I will use fresh whenever I can and I like the colors that fresh tomatoes add to the salsa.

The taste that grilling creates is my favorite. Plus, it is super easy to add that extra step to provide that smoky flavor.  Grill your veggies on an outdoor grill or indoors on a stovetop grill.  Grill all the vegetables and garlic, this will release all the wonderful flavors so inhale deeply.

A food processor is (in my opinion) the best way to go when making fresh salsa.  It’s easy, clean-up is a breeze and it provides the best texture. You can use a blender, but if you do make sure to use the pulse option if available and stop to stir frequently.  

When you have all the ingredients in your food processor, use the pulse feature and pulse 5 -7 times or more if you prefer a fine texture.

For the best flavor, put it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving.  Then you can grab your tortilla chips and dig in! Try it with nachos or a baked egg with black beans in the morning.