Hatch Chile Salsa Starter is a convenient way to make fresh, aromatic salsa for your favorite Mexican or Southwestern dishes without all the chopping. Add to a can of chopped tomatoes and let the flavors marinate. The salsa can be eaten as a dip for tortilla chips alongside guacamole or to season rice and beans for a delicious side dish.

‘Salsa’ is the Spanish word for ‘sauce,’ but the food actually predates the Spanish by centuries. It is an ancient condiment first developed by the Aztec, Maya, and Inca. Tomato most often makes up the sauce base, a wild plant that is native to Ecuador and Peru. The tomatillo, a green nightshade that looks like a tomato, is also native to the Andes region of South America and can be used in place of the red tomato. As documented by Spanish conquistadors in the 1500s, the Aztec would also add chiles, squash seeds, and beans to the sauce and then serve it with meats and tortillas. Not too different from how we eat it today!

Onion, Salt, Dried New Mexico hatch chiles, Sugar, Red bell pepper, Cumin, Lime juice powder (Maltodextrin, lime juice solids), Spinach, Cilantro, Parsley, Paprika, Dried nora chiles, Citric acid, Sunflower oil, Cellulose (anti-caking)

Combine contents of packet with 14.5 oz of crushed tomatoes. Let sit for 5 minutes to allow flavors to develop.