Sweet & Zesty Fruit Salsa

This sweet & zesty fruit salsa is the perfect summer recipe. Serve it with some cinnamon crisps or savory tortilla chips for a popular appetizer. Or pair it with grilled veggies, or meats for a delicious and fresh kick of flavor. This one is great on tacos or even in a salad wrap. It is sweet, zesty and super fresh. The combo of all the sweet stone fruits, melons, pineapples and berries tossed in lime juice with zippy cilantro is unreal. You may find yourself craving this by the bowl on hot days.

What makes this the best summer salsa recipe?

You will agree that this is the best summer salsa, here is why. In summer, the fruit is popping! It is ripe, juicy and abundant. This fruit salsa will help you avoid food waste because you can make it when you have too much fruit on hand that is ripening on the counter! It is a great way to use up fruits before they turn or even fruits that may be a little overripe for eating whole. Chopped small, nobody will ever know! This sweet and zesty fruit salsa is hydrating, cooling and fresh. That's why it is ideal for hot days when you don't really want to cook!

What is salsa anyway?

Salsa is the Spanish word for sauce. There are many Mexican salsas that have been popularized in America like pico de gallo and salsa verde among others. Basically a salsa is a sauce served on the side or over many mild flavored dishes. Most salsas are intensely flavorful or spicy to enhance the taste of a main dish. This sweet and zesty fruit salsa is very flavorful and would be a great addition to grilled tofu or fish, just like a mango salsa. If you wanted to get really brave, you could also chop a red onion or a jalapeño and add it to this salsa for a more savory presentation.

Ingredients for Sweet & Zesty Fruit Salsa

This summery fruit salsa is best in the height of stone fruit, melon and strawberry season. Summertime is when juicy, ripe fruit is abundant. If you want to make this during months when peaches and plums are not available, you can substitute mandarin oranges, grapes, or blueberries. You can even use banana or apple as long as you make sure to toss them well in lime juice so they do not turn brown quickly. Be sure to use ripe avocado that is not smooshy. You want it to stay chopped not a mash.

• Pineapple- Sweet and juicy pineapple is delicious!
• Cantaloupe- Cantaloupe melon is an economical addition plus the flavor is mild and sweet.
• Peach- Ripe peaches add a lot of sweetness!
• Plum- Plums balance the sweetness with their slightly sour and tart taste.
• Strawberries- This recipe is a great way to use up fresh strawberries that are a bit uglier or overripe.
• Avocados- Avocado lends a buttery feel and flavor to this salsa.
• Mangoes- Ripe mango is a primo ingredient for salsa. Both the flavor and texture are amazing!
• Lime- Lime juice has two purposes in this recipe. One-it preserves the green color of the avocado. Two-it adds a citrusy zest to the flavor.
• Cilantro- Cilantro adds an earthy, zingy, fresh bite to this summer fruit salsa.

How to Make Sweet & Zesty Fruit Salsa Fruit Salsa

There is quite a bit of peeling and chopping involved with this salad. Otherwise it is a very simple, no-cook recipe.

• To a large mixing bowl add all the chopped fruits.
• Then add lime and cilantro and just mix it up.
• Eat within 3 days for the best quality or freeze the leftovers and add to a smoothie or a margarita within 3 months.

Tips for making the best fruit salsa

Making fruit salsa is easy if you have the right tools.

• Use a sharp knife! Precise cuts with a sharp chef's knife will make food last longer. I don't know about the science behind this but a dull knife seems to damage food in a way that makes it decompose faster. Plus a good knife will make cooking faster, safer and more fun.
• Cut on a cutting board! Be a safe cook. Use a cutting board rather than a counter, plate or palm of your hand to cut into. Fruits are especially slippery so it is important to work carefully.
• Choose ripe fruits! Fruit salad or fruit salsa only tastes good if the fruit is ripe! Tips for knowing if fruits are ready for use are as follows. Pineapple-look for golden pineapple that is fragrant through the rind. If the peel is dark green let it ripen for a few more days on the counter. Melon-Cantelope melon should not sound hollow when rapped with a knuckle. It should sound full and juicy. Smell it! If it smells like cantelope it is ready. If there is no smell yet, give it a couple of days! Peaches, Plums and Mangoes should be soft to the touch. When pressing gently your finger will make an indent if they are ready to eat.

Other delicious summer salads

• Summer Harvest Orzo Salad
• Blueberry and Lemon Poppyseed Salad
• White Bean and Farro Salad