60 minutes
A vibrant and flavorful salsa with roasted tomatillos, jalapeño, poblano chiles, and creamy avocado.
Jalapeño Chiles, stemmed, seeded
each
Poblano Chile, stemmed, seeded
each
Tomatillos, papery husks removed, rinsed, halved
0 lb
Yellow Onion, thickly sliced
each
Garlic, smashed
cloves
tablespoons
to taste
Avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, finely diced
each
Lime Juice, fresh
tablespoons
Cilantro, chopped fresh
cups
1. Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C or gas mark 7). This temperature is ideal for roasting the vegetables, ensuring they become beautifully caramelized and their flavors are concentrated.
2. Prepare Vegetables
In a large bowl, combine the jalapeño chiles, poblano chile, tomatillos, yellow onion, and smashed garlic. Drizzle the vegetables with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt. Toss everything together until the vegetables are evenly coated in the oil and salt.
3. Roast Vegetables
Spread the seasoned vegetables out on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast the vegetables for 15 to 25 minutes, turning them halfway through. You'll know they are done when the vegetables have collapsed and started to brown, which means their flavors have deepened and sweetened.
4. Cool Vegetables
Once the vegetables are nicely roasted, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. This cooling step is important as it allows the vegetables to release any residual steam, which helps to keep the flavors concentrated.
5. Blend Vegetables
Transfer the cooled vegetables to a food processor or blender. Pulse the mixture a few times until you achieve a chunky purée. You want some texture in your salsa, so be careful not to over-process.
6. Adjust Seasoning
Taste the purée and adjust the seasoning with a little more salt if needed. Transfer the purée to a medium bowl.
7. Add Avocado, Lime Juice, and Cilantro
Gently fold in the finely diced avocado, fresh lime juice, and chopped cilantro. The avocado adds a creamy texture while the lime juice and cilantro bring freshness to the salsa.
8. Rest Salsa
Let the salsa sit for about 20 minutes. This resting time allows the flavors to meld together, making the salsa even more delicious.
9. Final Adjustments
Before serving, give the salsa one final taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or lime juice, if necessary. Serve the salsa at room temperature or chilled, as you prefer.
The depth of flavor in this salsa comes from the char on the tomatillos, jalapeños, and garlic. Don't be afraid to let them get a good blackened spot here and there, as it adds a smoky touch to your salsa.
Lime juice not only adds zesty flavor but also helps keep the avocado from browning. It's also essential for balancing the richness of the avocado. Always use fresh lime juice rather than bottled for the best flavor.
Jalapeños vary in heat. Taste a small piece before adding them to your salsa to gauge their heat level. Remember that the heat mostly resides in the seeds and the white pith. Removing or leaving some can help you control the zing in your salsa.
Use ripe avocados that yield to gentle pressure for the best texture. The avocado should be silky and creamy, which contrasts beautifully with the tangy tomatillos.
Salt the salsa after blending, then adjust again if necessary after it has rested. The flavors will meld and develop over time, and you may find you need a bit more salt to bring out the best in all the ingredients.
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