Strawberries and the California Strawberry Commission rocked my world last week and made me fall even more in love with California and strawberries. I even came up with a “Salsa Fresa” or strawberry, avocado, and grilled corn salsa recipe that I can not wait to share with you, but first a little on the experience that inspired the recipe.
I got to stay at the beautiful Carmel Valley Ranch, visit strawberry farms, and see the process of how strawberries from the field make it to bellies all over the world. It’s no secret that I will always give preference to organic produce, so I was particularly pleased to be able to visit Shinta Kawahara farm in Watsonville that grows both organic and conventional strawberries.
The trip gave me a whole new appreciation for strawberries. It makes a huge difference when you know how the food you eat is being produced and by who. Now when I look at a strawberry, I know things like:
- California is the nation’s largest producer of strawberries.
- There are more than 400 strawberry farmers in California.
- There are no GMO strawberries. No genetically modified strawberries being grown or shipped. Woo hoo!
Part of what made this trip and learning experience so remarkable was the company I got to keep. The picture above shows you the lovely faces that surrounded me. I encourage you to get to know the bloggers pictured above, if you don’t already know them: Jodi (Garlic Girl), Mitzi (Nutrition Expert), Jill (The Veggie Queen), Kristianne (My San Francisco Kitchen), Jennifer (Playful Pantry), Laura (Superglue Mom), Jess (Sodium Girl), Yvette (Muy Bueno Cookbook), Kankana (Playful Cooking), Jennifer (Savory Simple), Amy (Cooking with Amy), Nicole (Pinch My Salt), Me (Unknown Mami), Rod Koda (Watsonville strawberry farmer, he doesn’t have a blog…yet).
And now, for my Salsa Fresa recipe!!!
This salsa is ridiculously good. You will not believe how well the strawberries compliment the avocado, corn, and jalapeño. I had never thought of using strawberries in a salsa before and now I’m sorry that I haven’t been doing it for years. This is going to be my signature salsa from now on!
Ingredients
10 large strawberries, hulled and chopped
Kernels from 2 large ears of corn, grilled
2 medium-sized grilled jalapeños- stemmed, peeled, seeded, and chopped
2 ripe avocados –peeled, pitted, diced
Juice from 2 limes
Drizzle of olive oil
Splash of apple cider vinegar
Salt to taste
Directions
Toss everything into a large bowl, mix it up, yum, yum!
Serve with tortilla chips.
You can learn more about California Strawberries by following:
CAStrawberries on Twitter * CAStrawberries on Facebook * CAStrawberries on Pinterest
Disclosure: I was a guest of the California Strawberry Commission and I received a stipend for time spent creating this post. All statements and opinions are my own and my Salsa Fresa is really good!
It’s really good. Normally, I don’t brag about the food I make, but this one is a keeper.
Wow…that sounds really great!
That sounds and looks absolutely delicious! I want some.
Ooohh oohhh oohh! I’m going to a retirement party this weekend! Maybe I’ll bring this! Sounds delicious.
Yum!
oh, that sounds so delicious! have you tried canning any of them? for jam or anything?
I loooooooove the idea of strawberries in my salsa. x
Mmmm! I want a huge bowl of this!
OK. I AM making this for Father’s Day. Thanks! Sounds delicious.
I love it. It’s really good (if I do say so myself).
I have pinned this gem and can’t wait to try it! 🙂
It was creative, a delightful mix of flavors. My only recommendation is to make sure your avocados aren’t too soft; I used one that was a little too ripe, and it got a little mushy. Still delicious, though, and I have confirmed this by eating some for breakfast today! 🙂
Niiiice! 😀 By the way, I get avocados now – and we enjoy guacamole often! This recipe is yumyumyum!