Cantaloupe Salsa ~ this unique salsa is delightful ~ I used a juicy ripe melon, lots of colorful veggies, fresh cilantro, and a super fiery habanero pepper for a powerhouse salsa that gets everybody excited!
Lately I’ve been trying to remember not to toss away labels and wrappers too quickly. The other day I bought a bunch of organic cilantro and as I was throwing away the tag I happened to see that there was a recipe for cantaloupe salsa printed on it. Lots of foods come with recipes printed on their tags, or on the underside of labels, etc., and I’ve actually found some pretty good ones that way. I had already decided on grilled tilapia for dinner, so the idea of a new kind of salsa to go with it sounded perfect.
We’re heading into salsa season, and I couldn’t be more excited. They’re so easy and they’re so healthy, but the main reason I can’t stop making them is the burst of flavor they add to everything. Not to mention that they give me an excuse to eat the leftovers with chips. I also like making salsas because I get to play with color…do I want to use a red, yellow, or orange pepper with the melon? Purple onion or green? The colors are just as important as the flavors, and a few spoonfuls of cantaloupe salsa make a plate of healthy but bland fish or chicken a lot more lively.
Cantaloupes are cheap right now, which pretty much tells you they’ll be ripe and delicious, but I think lots of different melons would work here, so experiment with what you see at your market. There’s nothing more cooling than a sweet juicy melon. Nothing more fiery hot than a habanero pepper. Put the two together and you’ve got a really interesting salsa. It takes only minutes to put together, try it!
We topped grilled tilapia with our cantaloupe salsa, but if I have any leftover I’m going to break open the chips.
Notes:
- I originally used a whole seeded habanero for my salsa, and it was very very hot. I cut down the amount in the recipe to half a pepper. And be sure to wash well after chopping the habanero, the hot oils are very powerful and you don’t want to accidentally rub your eye after working with one of these guys. Even the insides of my fingernails were burning!
Cantaloupe Habanero Salsa
Ingredients
- 1/2 cantaloupe, sliced and cut into a small dice
- 1/2 habanero pepper, seeded and finely diced (use a whole one if you’re brave)
- 1/4 large red onion, diced
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro
- juice of 1 lime
- salt and fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- This is one salsa that I don't make in a mini food processor. The melon just looks more appealing diced. Try to get everything diced into a similar size.
- Mix everything together in a bowl and taste for flavor. Add more seasonings as needed. Refrigerate until ready to use. Check the seasonings again just before serving; it might need salt, or more lime juice.
Is that Israeli Couscous you are serving with the fish?
Salsa looks great!
Yum! I am loving fruit salsas these days. A friend made a mango salsa for us the other evening but this is looking wonderful and different!
Cantaloupe in salsa! I’ve often had mango salsa, but of course a melon would work just as well. I’ll have to give this a try–we have a new fish store in town, so now I have an excuse to do some shopping. I may have to skip the habanero for a milder jalapeno since my husband isn’t a fan of firey hot foods.
This sounds amazing! I am really loving the cool sweet and spicy combinations this year. What a great recipe find.
I love fruit salsa…this one looks wonderfully delicious…i bet it was great with the tilapia!
Love fruit salsa – noting this. And will check to make sure I don’t toss grand recipes!
What an interesting salsa recipe. I don’t believe I have ever come a cross one using cantaloupe!
Habanero… my favourite pepper! 🙂
Mmmm—that looks and sounds so delectable! Can’t wait to try it!
What a delectable recipe, my marmalade and jam recipes both come from packets/tags, they are a great recourse, I usually photocopy onto A4 and keep in a file. (I really must find a new printer, scanner and I could then save on my pc)