I stopped into Flavors from Afar at Snider Plaza this week, honestly, just because I’d never been in there and was curious as to what I’d find. What I ended up finding there among the shelves of gourmet sauces and cookies was a jar of perhaps one of the best salsa’s I’ve ever tried. And trust me, after living in Mexico for three years, I know good salsa when I try it.
This salsa verde (that means its made with green peppers, not red, for those of you monolinguals out there) is full of fresh flavor, but it’s not too spicy. Now don’t get me wrong. I appreciate hot salsa. In fact, I prefer it. But I know there are plenty of people out there who can’t stomach the spicy stuff. This salsa verde isn’t hot, but it’s not watery or bland. This is important to note because most non-spicy salsa isn’t really salsa at all. It’s more like pico de gallo, or worse yet, like tomato sauce. But this salsa actually is delicious. You can taste fresh tomatillos, cilantro, lemon juice, scallions, and garlic. Yum, Rotel can’t hold a candle to this.
The only drawback is the price: a steep $7 for a 16 oz. jar. I know, I know, that’s bordering absurd for salsa. But this place is in Snider Plaza after all…and if you’re salsa enthusiast like me, it’s worth every penny. I chatted with the shop owner and found out that this salsa is made in Napa Valley, then bottled under the store’s private label. They also sell a pasta sauce, which I intend to try next. In the meantime, I’ve been pouring this salsa verde on everything from eggs to chicken breasts all week. I’m hooked, and after you try it, I’m sure you will be too.