Salsa verde

Spicy Mexican sauce based on tomatillos

Media: Salsa verde

Salsa verde (lit. 'green sauce') is a type of spicy, green sauce in Mexican cuisine based on tomatillo and green chili peppers.

The tomatillo-based Mexican salsa verde dates to the Aztec Empire, as documented by the Spanish physician Francisco Hernández, and is distinct from the various medieval European parsley-based green sauces.^[1]

In the cuisines of Mexico and the Southwestern United States, it is often served with Mexican or Tex-Mex style dishes like enchiladas and chicharrón (pork rinds). The version typical of New Mexico consists mostly of green chile rather than tomatillos.

Types

This green sauce comes in subtypes: cooked sauce, in which the ingredients are cooked and then ground; roasted salsa, in which the elements are roasted on a comal and then ground; raw sauce, in which ingredients are ground and eaten without cooking; and a combination in which some of the elements are cooked. A molcajete or a blender can be used for the grinding process. Cooking or roasting the tomatillo will enhance the flavor, providing a sweeter salsa.^[2] After the sauce is prepared, it can be cooked again in a pan with a little oil.

References

^ Gentilcore, David (2010). Pomodoro! A History of the Tomato in Italy. Columbia University Press. p. 10.
^ Johansen, Kristen (July 15, 2011). "Tomatillos: Fruits with benefits". Roanoke Times. Retrieved May 22, 2020.

Bayless, Rick; Mexico One Plate at a Time (2000); ISBN 978-0684841861
Muñoz Zurita, Ricardo; Pequeño Larousee de la Gastronomía Mexicana (2013); ISBN 9786072107373

Mexican cuisine

List of Mexican dishes

Soups
and stews

Rice dishes

Bean dishes

Egg dishes

Vegetable
dishes

Meat dishes

Al pastor Barbacoa Cabrito Discada Entomatada Mixiote Moronga Pastel azteca Relleno negro Tripas
Poultry	Arroz con pollo Patitas Escabeche oriental Mole poblano Pollo motuleño Tinga de pollo
Pork	Adobada Calabacitas con puerco Carne de chango Carnitas Chicharrón en salsa Chileajo de cerdo Chilorio Chorizo Cochinita pibil Cueritos Poc chuc
Beef	Alambre Aporreadillo Albóndigas al chipotle Beef brain Beef tongue Cabeza Carne a la tampiqueña Carne asada Carne seca Criadillas Machaca Milanesa Pachola Picadillo Puntas Quesobirria Salpicón Tinga de res
Seafood	Aguachile Cahuamanta Camarones al ajillo Ceviche Huachinango a la Veracruzana Mixmole de pescado Mojarra frita Pan de cazón Pescadito Pescado al ajillo Pescado a la talla Pulpo a la campechana

Other
protein dishes

Cheese dishes

Antojitos

Empalme Enchilada Guajolota Nachos Quesadilla Taco Taquito
Corn dough	Cazuelita Chalupa Chilaquiles Chimichanga Chochoyote Corn tortilla Corunda Doblada Duros Gordita Huarache Molote Panucho Papadzules Piedra Salbut Sope or Memela Tamale Tlacoyo Tlayuda Tostada Totopo
Wheat dough	Burrito Cemita Gringas Mollete Pambazo Paste Sincronizada Torta Wheat tortilla