Salsa was introduced to the United States by Mexican natives. Salsa is a staple in Mexican restaurants, served with tortilla chips. Salsa and chips can be found among snack foods, along with other chips and dips. Many people use salsa as a condiment on hamburgers or as a topping, such as on chicken dishes. Traditional bottled salsas contain tomatoes, onions, spices and herbs such as cilantro. Fresh ingredients for salsa are grown in the U.S., further promoting its health benefits.
Significance
Salsa has surpassed ketchup in popularity among condiments in America. The popularity of salsa can be attributed to the diversity of cultures and interest in ethnic tastes.
Composition
Traditional salsa recipes include tomatoes, onions, cilantro and spices from peppers. Other ingredients can be added, such as carrots, to suit diverse tastes.
Nutritional Information
A serving of salsa is considered to be 2 tbsp. and contains natural sugars and some fiber. Depending on the preparation, salsa can contain 45 mg of sodium, and its ingredients provide a source of vitamin C, iron and fiber.
Diet
Salsa is non-fat and low protein. In low-carbohydrate diets, salsa is a tasty addition to dishes for flavor because it contains an average of 10 calories per serving (1 g of carbohydrates).
Fun Fact
Salsa means "sauce" and can be cooked or uncooked. Salsa doesn't always contain tomatoes or peppers (some salsas contain mangoes or pineapple).