creative cooks, help me brainstorm this...

[SparklyUnicorn]

If you were to make a fresh salsa sort of thing, but could not use onions, what would you put in it?

 

 

Edited April 26, 2016 by SparklyUnicorn

[Amira]

No onions of any type? No scallions or shallots? I'd use those if they were an option, but if not, just leave them out and maybe add some extra garlic. Roasted peppers would add some flavor, or you could roast the garlic. If you like cilantro, you could add lots of it.

[FaithManor]

Green and red pepper, tomatoes, chilli peppers to taste maybe corn

[medawyn]

Tomatoes, cilantro, cucumber or jicama, maybe a fruit (watermelon, peaches, etc), lime juice, spices of choice/to taste

[mamiof5]

Oh boy!!! Tough one. Salsa with out some sort of onion (red, green, yellow, sweet...you name it!) is like pb and J without pb. Sorry, this onion lover can't help much :)

[SparklyUnicorn]

No onions of any type? No scallions or shallots? I'd use those if they were an option, but if not, just leave them out and maybe add some extra garlic. Roasted peppers would add some flavor, or you could roast the garlic. If you like cilantro, you could add lots of it.

 

no onions

 

oh crap..no cilantro either

 

roasted garlic...love that idea 

[SparklyUnicorn]

Tomatoes, cilantro, cucumber or jicama, maybe a fruit (watermelon, peaches, etc), lime juice, spices of choice/to taste

 

jicama..that's a good idea

[SparklyUnicorn]

Oh boy!!! Tough one. Salsa with out some sort of onion (red, green, yellow, sweet...you name it!) is like pb and J without pb. Sorry, this onion lover can't help much :)

 

I understand it probably sounds weird.  Then again I do think with the tomatoes and peppers also being major ingredients it can still be decent.

 

I don't think it's up there with asking someone to brainstorm French onion soup without the onions.  LOL

[zoobie]

With no onions or cilantro, maybe go another direction--mangoes and jalapenos or corn and beans?

[SparklyUnicorn]

I wonder how something like fennel would be.

 

 

[SparklyUnicorn]

or what about small diced green apple...that might be interesting...maybe soak the apple in a bit of red wine vinegar beforehand (no clue why that idea makes sense to me)

 

[marbel]

I'd just skip 'em.

 

My usual salsa recipe is tomatoes, red onion, jalapenos, cilantro, lime juice, cumin, oregano, salt.  I think that's it.  If I skipped the onions, it'd be different but I'm not sure it'd be bad.

[BarbecueMom]

I googled it... and found a blog called Stupid Onions. There's an onion free salsa recipe on there. You might be onto something with the vinegar.

 

ETA: Bacon truffle recipe on there too... interesting. I've been wanting to do candied bacon for a while, might try those too.

Edited April 26, 2016 by BarbecueMom

[Amira]

I've heard of people using fennel. I'm not sure I'd make it that way, but I'd be happy to try it if someone else did.

[SparklyUnicorn]

I googled it... and found a blog called Stupid Onions. There's an onion free salsa recipe on there. You might be onto something with the vinegar.

 

ohh so cool...that someone has a blog with that title

 

:laugh:

[ErinE]

I was going to suggest green apple or jicama.

 

I wouldn't like fennel. The licorice/anise flavor would taste gross to me.

Edited April 26, 2016 by ErinE

[Mom22ns]

With no onions or cilantro, maybe go another direction--mangoes and jalapenos or corn and beans?

 

This is what I was thinking. To me, it isn't salsa with no onions or cilantro. They are too integral to the flavor. However, a nice mango salsa could be made without either.

[Jacquelyn in NC]

Tomatillas are good in salsa, too.

[Guest]

I wonder how something like fennel would be.

 

I have started using fennel instead of onion, because it gives some crunch.   And the flavor is interesting.  Don't know how it would work in a salsa...but it might be fun to try!

[mamiof5]

I understand it probably sounds weird. Then again I do think with the tomatoes and peppers also being major ingredients it can still be decent.

 

I don't think it's up there with asking someone to brainstorm French onion soup without the onions. LOL

Lol! I'm sure it can be done with many other ingredients. I just love onion too much :) I think dh would also scratch his head if I asked him to make salsa without it? We both are onion lovers

[mmasc]

I like a fresh salsa with drained, canned black beans, frozen corn (thawed on countertop/still cold), chopped grape tomatoes, garlic salt, pepper, fresh lime juice. I also like lots of cilantro--- you said no to that though, so leave it out. :) It tastes even better if you let it hang out for awhile before eating.