Summer is here and the heat has arrived! The temperatures in Kelowna are in the mid 30s this week and one of the last things I want to do is turn on my oven and slave in the kitchen! A great alternative to heavy meals is light, cool snacks. This Tropical Garden Salsa is the perfect dish to pack up and take to the beach or contribute to a potluck.
Top this on focaccia bread, pita bread, or use as a dip with your favorite tortilla chips. You can also add chickpeas and lettuce, and wrap it up in a tortilla as a quick sandwich! This Tropical Garden Salsa is oil free and made completely from whole foods. It’s so delicious and flavourful, so why add olive oil increasing your caloric intake with nutritionally empty calories? Oil is hard on your arteries and waistline. (Need more info, check out this post about oil.) Summer brings with it enough foods rich in oil!
What we have been up to…
This past week we took a 9 day road trip through Alberta to Saskatchewan. We stopped to visit friends and family enjoying “Covid friendly socializing”.
Ugh… it felt weird and disjointed and I missed the usual hugs and closeness. It’s hard after not seeing my mom for months to not be able to give her a big hug! Frustrating or not, we are certainly fortunate that everyone is healthy. Life is short and each moment must be cherished, even the moments with the mosquitoes… okay, kidding. I draw the line there. I will, however, keep the memories of: family gatherings, friend’s smiles, waterfalls, biking Calgary trails, yummy food, sweet little nieces, an outdoor music concert, vegetable gardens, cakes, lakes, Banff, a not so mini pig, yoga, sleeping in an RV during an epic Saskatchewan electrical storm, ladder golf competitions and wheat fields. 🙂
Food on our trip…
If you are looking for a must visit restaurant in Banff next time you are there, check out Nourish. The food was amazing. We loved the Gyoza, the Wild Mushroom Ravioli, the Falafel Salad, the Nourishment Bowl and the Mac and Squeeze. Definitely worth the stop! We went twice in case you think that’s a lot!
The inspiration for this post…
While visiting my husband’s side of the family, my sister–in–law brought a huge salsa brimming with colour, texture and wonderful flavour. It inspired me to up my salsa game. This is my version of it. It is the perfect summer picnic salsa. Not too spicy yet certainly not dull. And you can’t beat the visual appeal. Made with veggies and fruit that are at their peak in gardens right now, it’s the bomb.
If you have cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, basil or cilantro and onions in your garden, this recipe is for you. I am constantly looking for creative, simple ways to use up my produce.
Peaches are just coming into season here in the Okanagan, so if you are lucky enough to have a peach tree or can easily get your hands on them, a peach would work nicely in place of the mango.
If I were clever, I would make a huge batch and process them in jars… Probably not going to happen this week… It’s summer- my favorite season. Time to get in the lake!
I hope you enjoy this recipe and share it with others who love to honor their bodies with foods that promote health!
www.thevibrantveggie.com
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