Fresh and Spicy Plum Cucumber Salsa (Recipe)

My home has been inundated with fresh fruits and vegetables. As part of my “I’m short one organ so I’d better get my ass in gear” healthy eating lifestyle, we joined a CSA in order to arm ourselves with an influx of fresh, organic produce all season long. Another perk to joining a CSA is that it automatically means you’ll be eating a more varied diet. If you’re like most Americans, you probably don’t routinely stock up on things like kohlrabi or pattypan squash, but join a CSA, and you’ll find yourself entering those words as search terms on Pinterest lickety split.

We signed up for a medium CSA share, and that’s proving to be almost more than we can handle. Case in point: I currently have four pints of fresh blueberries sitting in my fridge. I guess I know what I’ll be snacking on for the next few days…

Along with Pinterest, my above-mentioned go-to recipe trove, I’ve been searching through my old blog’s archives for recipes that pack a punch of flavor utilizing fresh ingredients. I came across this gem, and although we don’t have plums quite yet this year, I’m sure it won’t be long before I go to pick up my CSA share and find some waiting for me.

Fresh and Spicy Plum Cucumber Salsa

Ingredients:

• 5 ripe red plums, pitted and chopped into ¼-inch pieces

• 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped into ¼-inch pieces

• 1 Tbsp chopped Thai basil (or Italian basil)

• 1 Tbsp lime juice, plus more if necessary

• 2 small cloves garlic, minced

• ¼ to ½ tsp fresh ginger, grated with a Microplane

• 1 large jalapeño pepper, half the seeds removed

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl.

2. Season further with lime juice, salt, and pepper to taste.

3. Cover and refrigerate for one hour before serving, to allow the flavors to develop.

4. Serve with a hearty chip, like whole wheat pita chips.