Ingredients
Method
- Peel the garlic and onion. Quarter the onion. Remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeño, reserving the seeds for later use. Quarter large tomatoes or leave them whole if small.
- Arrange the green tomatoes, garlic, onion, and jalapeño on a baking sheet. Broil on high for 4 to 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to char.
- Flip and rotate the vegetables, then broil for an additional 4 to 5 minutes.
- Transfer the roasted vegetables to a food processor or blender, incorporating only half of the jalapeño.
- Add the cilantro, kosher salt, and lime juice. Pulse until the mixture reaches your desired consistency.
- Taste the salsa and add the remaining jalapeño or seeds for more heat if desired. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled. Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition
Notes
Heat Control: I always start by adding only half of the roasted jalapeño because the spice level can vary so much from pepper to pepper.
Make-
Ahead Tip: I highly recommend making this at least a few hours ahead of time since the acidity of the lime juice really helps the roasted garlic and onion flavors meld together as it sits.
Texture Preference: I prefer using a food processor and pulsing it briefly to keep a bit of texture, but if you like a very smooth restaurant style sauce, a blender works perfectly well.
Common Mistake: I used to be nervous about the blackened spots on the vegetables, but I have found that those charred bits provide a deep smokiness that defines the whole dish.
Serving Suggestion: I love serving this salsa warm over a plate of soft scrambled eggs, though it is just as delicious chilled with a big bag of salty corn chips.
Storage Instructions: I find that this stays fresh in a sealed glass jar for up to a week, but the garlic flavor can intensify over time, so you might want to add an extra squeeze of lime before serving leftovers.
Ingredient Variation: I usually reach for a white onion for its sharp bite, but I have used a red onion when that was all I had, and the slightly sweeter result was a pleasant surprise.