La Villa Salsa 

By Isabella Madrid, Dietetic Intern, and Kristen Hung, MPH, RDN, Clinical Dietitian

In the heart of one of the Torrance Memorial’s kitchens, Jose Escobedo, a cook with nearly two decades of dedication, shares a culinary legacy from his great grandmother’s kitchen in La Villa, Jalisco, Mexico. Inspired by customers’ love for spice atop their meals, Jose blends tradition with innovation, crafting a salsa that pays homage to generations past. Infused with lycopene-rich tomatoes and a healthy dose of garlic, onions, and cilantro, this salsa is a harmonious blend of flavors, reminiscent of homegrown peppers and tomatoes ground in the molcajete. For Jose, cooking is more than a profession; it’s a passion, serving each dish as if to loved ones, always striving for excellence. Join him in celebrating National Salsa Month with a taste of tradition and love. Try it yourself as a delicious way to celebrate!

Recipe Yield: 10 each 2 oz. portions

Ingredients:

• 4 lbs. roma tomato ripe whole
• 1 each large yellow onion

            ½ - cut into 1” dice

            ½ - cut into ¼” dice

• 12 each garlic clove large whole
• 1 cup of water
• 8 each habanero chili whole
• 4 oz. cilantro chopped.
• 2 tsp. salt

Method:

1. In a large steamer pot add 4 lbs. Roma tomato, onion 1“dice, 12 each garlic clove whole, 8 each habanero whole. Steam on high heat until ingredients are cooked soft, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from pot and allow to cool to room temperature.
2. In a blender add water and steamed ingredients and blend until course in texture. Remove from blender and place ingredients into a large bowl.
3. Add onion ¼ “dice, cilantro chopped and salt.
4. Place in refrigerator to chill.

If you have questions or are interested in learning more techniques to help build a healthy and nutritious lifestyle, contact one of our registered dietitian nutritionists at the Outpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy office or our Diabetes Self-Management Program located in the Torrance Memorial Lundquist Lurie Cardiovascular Center, 2841 Lomita Blvd., Suite 335. Call 310-891-6707 or visit TorranceMemorial.org/nutrition for upcoming classes and programs.