Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
Eloina is my delightful Mexican neighbor. She introduced me to tomatillos, and encouraged me to grow them at A Garden for the House. Her tomatillo-based salsa verde is mild, mouth-watering, and authentically Mexican. It is delicious on everything from tacos and enchiladas to omelettes and steaks. Would you like the recipe? Here goes:
Eloina’s Ultimate Salsa Verde
Ingredients:
6 tomatillos (remove husks, and wash off any sticky residue)
1/4 of one jalapeno pepper
1 clove garlic
1 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
Salt
Water
Boiling: In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add tomatillos and jalepeno, and cook until soft (about 5 minutes). Remove fruit and pepper, and reserve one 1/4 cup of the stock.
Blending: Place tomatillos, jalapeno, garlic and the reserved 1/4 cup of stock in a blender or food processor, and blend for 30 seconds. Add cilantro and a pinch of salt, then blend for another 15-20 seconds.
Yield: About 1.5 cups
Do try this sassy salsa, and let me know what you think.
Gardenlady says
Kevin, how lucky you are to have such a neighbor. I will pick up tomatillos and a fresh jalapeno pepper today. I'll omit the jalapeno seeds, though, to reduce the “heat.”
Gregory says
My mouth is already watering.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Gardenlady – it's up to you, but you may not need to remove the jalapeno seeds. Boiling in water removes much of its “fire.”
Gregory – my mouth was watering, too, as I watched Eloina prepare salsa verde at 7 o'clock this morning!
Andrew Thompson says
Kevin, I'm so glad you include recipes on your blog. They really bring the garden “to life.”
Justin says
Thanks for the recipe, Kevin. And, thank Eloina, too!
margarita says
Dear kevin
eloina makes a really good salsa verde and im going to make the salsa that she wrote down so i make it as good as she does i also want to tell you that she makes really good enchiladas and all of the mexican food she makes is really good.
from margarita
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hola Margarita! Yes, Eloina's cooking is the best!
Judy says
As you know I had the pleasure of tasting Eloina's salsa verde and it was unbelievable!! Thanks for the tomatillos so I can make (or try to make) my own! In the tradition of Julie/Julia I shall post the results on your blog! I'll also hold the chili but do what Eloina suggested to us — add avacado!!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Judy – Let us know how your tomatillo salsa with avacado (and minus the jalapeno) turns out!
Judy says
The Kevin/Eloina/Judy Project: My 80's retro blender was not usable so I tried mashing the ingredients well with a fork but the cilantro and tomatillo skins didn't dissolve properly so I placed it in the fridge which helped the consistency. I just added an avocado to make it thicker and will see how it tastes after being in the fridge. Despite my kitchen antics it really does taste delicious! But next time I crave Eloina's magnificent salsa verde…I'm visiting you!
Gregory says
Kevin, I took the tomatillo-challenge and made this salsa too, only I added more jalapeno and garlic to give it an extra “kick.” My partner and I ate it with tostido chips. It's excellent. Keep these unusual recipes coming!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Judy – Sorry your mash wasn't a smash!
Gregory – Sounds delicious! And, I will periodically contribute recipes. Thanks for trying this one!