
If you have fresh ripe tomatoes, cilantro, lime, and a jalapeno, on hand, it’s definitely time to make pico de gallo. Even if you don’t have all of those ingredients, consider improvising. I like to think of pico season as an invitation to eat diced tomatoes on anything and everything. We particularly love it on quesadillas, tacos, grilled veggies, avocado toast, and eggs in my household. It’s also delicious, just scooped up with corn chips.
When prepping a meal with pico de gallo, start by making the pico first, so the flavors have a chance to meld. You can leave it on the counter while you cook the rest of the meal or refrigerate it for a few hours in an airtight container. If it becomes watery, serve it with a slotted spoon.
A Note About Cilantro: I recommend primarily using the top, leafy portion of the cilantro for this dish, but you don’t need to pick the leaves off the stems or avoid them entirely. Here’s how:
2 cups tomatoes, diced
¼ cup red onion, diced (or ½ cup white onion or 2-3 scallions)
¼ cup cilantro, chopped
1 medium jalapeño, seeded & minced (optional)
1-2 limes, juiced (approx 2 T)
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
½ tsp sea salt, more to taste
fresh ground pepper to taste
Optional additions
fresh peaches, diced
Mangos, diced
black beans, drained
fresh corn
avocado, diced
pinch cumin
Slice the jalapeño (if using) lengthwise, remove seeds, and finely mince. Add diced onion, minced garlic, lime juice, chopped cilantro, and salt and pepper. Gently toss and set aside while you dice the tomatoes.
Using a serrated knife (bread knife), dice the tomatoes and toss with seasonings.
Taste and add more salt and pepper as needed.
If adding avocado, do so just before serving.
Sometimes at the farmer’s market or in a CSA box you may come across a vegetable you’ve never seen before. Or perhaps you know the name of a vegetable but you’ve never cooked with it and aren’t sure what to do with it. That’s where our Veggie Gallery comes in handy! CLICK HERE to visit the gallery.