Perfectly Fermented Homemade Cilantro Salsa

Delicious and detoxifying recipe for homemade cilantro salsa which is lightly cultured to add probiotics and potency for extra therapeutic benefit.

Cilantro is an ancient herb used in cooking and healing for thousands of years.

The traditional cultures of Northern Europe considered cilantro so important that only doctors and priests were allowed to use it! 

Perhaps that is the reason European cuisine rarely includes cilantro, though it is native to the area.

In more modern times, researchers found cilantro to contain a high level of antioxidants. Perhaps most importantly, cilantro is highly detoxifying and can assist the body with the removal of heavy metals.

Hence, cilantro is a potent whole-food chelation agent.

While not widely used in European cooking, Latin American and Asian cuisine use cilantro extensively.

In particular, the combination of cilantro and tomatoes is one of the most traditional and popular condiments in Latin America.

I believe that certain food combinations are traditional because they are beneficial for both taste and health.

Preparation

I recommend that you chop the ingredients for cilantro salsa by hand. Not only is this traditional, but it really seems to result in a better-tasting salsa. 

Some food processors chop at such a high speed that it actually changes the taste of the vegetables.

Since cilantro binds to metal, it is best to use a glass bowl when making this recipe. Store the finished salsa in a glass jar. Mason jars are ideal.

Serving Tips

The hot peppers are traditional but optional. If you do include them, be sure to use gloves as you chop. Never touch your eyes until carefully washing your hands.

An alternative to the fresh hot peppers is to add 1-4 teaspoons of bottled hot sauce after the fermentation is complete. Stir it in well. Organic hot sauce is optimal because peppers are typically a high-spray crop.

This cilantro salsa goes great with all meats, which is the way Latin American cuisines use such condiments traditionally. But you can enjoy it with almost any main course!

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Homemade Fermented Cilantro Salsa

Delicious and therapeutic recipe for homemade cilantro salsa which is fermented to add probiotics and potency for therapeutic benefit for naturally and gently chelating metals from the body.

Course Condiment

Cuisine Latin American

Keyword chelating, cultured, detoxifying, easy, fermented, healthy, probiotic

Prep Time 15 minutes

Fermentation 2 days

Total Time 2 days 15 minutes

Servings 32

Calories 15 kcal

Author Stanley Fishman

Ingredients

• 3 medium ripe tomatoes preferably organic and heirloom
• 2 green onions preferably organic
• 1-2 bunches cilantro preferably organic
• 4 cloves garlic preferably organic
• 4 Tbl liquid whey do not substitute powdered whey
• 2 tsp coarse sea salt
• 4 hot peppers optional, preferably organic
• 1-4 tsp hot sauce optional, use instead of fresh hot peppers if desired

Instructions

1. Wash all the vegetables thoroughly, and dry them. Chop the tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, and garlic very fine. Place the chopped vegetables in a large glass bowl.

2. If you are using the hot peppers, protect your hands by using disposable gloves. Remove the seeds, unless you really like it hot. Slice the peppers into small circular pieces, and add to the rest of the vegetables. Be sure never to touch your eyes until you wash your hands thoroughly.

3. Add the whey and the salt to the vegetables, and mix well.

4. Pour the mixture into a quart-sized mason jar. There should be at least one inch of space between the top of the jar and the mixture. It is important that the mixture does not touch the lid.

5. Cover the jar and move it to a dimly lit location (I use the inside of a cupboard or pantry), and let rest for two days while the fermentation takes place.

6. Stir in optional hot sauce if hot peppers were omitted but you wish to add additional heat to the recipe. Refrigerate.

7. This condiment should easily last a month in the refrigerator as the fermentation is a natural preservative.

Nutrition Facts

Homemade Fermented Cilantro Salsa

Amount Per Serving (2 tbsp)

Calories 15

% Daily Value*

Sodium 85mg4%

Carbohydrates 3g1%

Protein 0.5g1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.