Green Apple Salsa Verde in a white bowl.

Green Apple Salsa Verde

A recipe for Green Apple Salsa Verde from The Summer Table Cookbook, by Lisa Lemke. This vibrant version is tangy, sweet, and pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, fish or veal.

Green Apple Salsa Verde in a white bowl.
Green Apple Salsa Verde

A recipe for Green Apple Salsa Verde from The Summer Table Cookbook, by Lisa Lemke. This vibrant version is tangy, sweet, and pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, fish or veal.

Green Apple Salsa Verde in a white bowl.

There was a smidgen of green makeup along her hairline when I picked her up yesterday. They started costume rehearsals at drama camp, and my kids have been immersed in Shrek the Musical – they sing on the way to camp, and they sing on the way home. And my daughter has been singing in her room, to my son’s dismay. She was cast as Fiona, and to prepare for her first ever lead role, she has been working so hard. Wearing the green makeup, I think, is also a big part of the excitement.

Chopped green apples.

I feel as though we are in the thick of summer – when the trees are at its greenest (despite our California drought), and the produce is at its most vibrant. Cooking during this time of year is simpler, fresher, and when I can manage it, we grill as much as possible. I’m always looking for fresh side dishes to pair, so I was happy to review The Summer Table Cookbook: Recipes and Menus for Casual Outdoor Entertaining, by Lisa Lemke.

Chopped green apples in a metal bowl.

Green Apple Salsa Verde alongside sliced chicken on a white plate.

Green Apple Salsa Verde

I was instantly drawn to her version of Salsa Verde. This is not to be confused with traditional salsa with tomatillos – instead, Lisa uses tart green apples and all the shades of green you can imagine – avocados, chives, celery, limes, cilantro, jalapeno – they all come together in a chunky salsa that is fresh and crisp, and absolutely delicious when you pair it with grilled chicken. It’s one of my favorites from the cookbook, but she shares many festive menus to inspire you all season long.

From a Mexican Grill Party to Father’s Day Barbecue, Beach Buffet and Cocktail Party, Lisa takes global flavors and merges them with her Swedish background as inspiration for her summer recipes and casual outdoor entertaining. Her Carrot Dip with Goat Cheese is simple and addicting, and the Bean Salad with Herbs and Halloumi is fresh and hearty. All of it is stunningly photographed by Asa Dahlgren. I really think you’re going to really enjoy cooking with Lisa all summer long.

The Summer Table by Lisa Lemke, a cookbook.

A peek inside The Summer Table Cookbook.

A look into The Summer Table by Lisa Lemke.

I would love for you to have a copy of your own, and thanks to my friends at Sterling Epicure publishing, one of you will receive a copy. I hope you love it as much as I do!

Giveaway (Closed)

I am excited for one of you to try this recipe and more with a copy of The Summer Table Cookbook by Lisa Lemke. One winner will be selected. Here’s how to enter:

  • Please leave a comment letting me know: What’s your favorite thing to cook in the summer?
  • Entries/Comments accepted until 12 a.m. Pacific, Thursday, July 30, 2015.
  • One winner will be randomly selected and notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to email notification, otherwise an alternate winner will be selected.

Disclosure: This giveaway was made possible by Sterling Epicure.

More Great Recipes for Summer

Summer Corn and Nectarine Tabbouleh
Summer Wheat Berry Salad with Stone Fruits and Goat Cheese
Lemon-Berry Cheesecake Parfaits
Zucchini, Corn and Pesto Flatbreads
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp (Vegan-Friendly)

Green Apple Salsa Verde

A recipe for Green Apple Salsa Verde from The Summer Table Cookbook, by Lisa Lemke. This vibrant version is tangy, sweet, and pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, fish or veal.
Course Condiments
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Rest Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 137kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 tart green apple such as Granny Smith
  • Grated zest from 1 lime
  • Juice from 1/2 lime
  • 1 avocado
  • 1/3-1/2 green chile such as jalapeño or serrano, seeded (the amount depends on the desired strength)
  • 2 stalks of celery
  • 1/4 cup chopped chives
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • flaked sea salt
  • coarsely ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Core the apple and cut it into ⅓-inch cubes. Place in a bowl and combine with the lime zest and juice.
  • Remove the pit from the avocado and scoop out the flesh. Cut the avocado in ⅓-inch cubes and fold them into the bowl. Finely chop the chile, and cut the celery stalks one or two times lengthwise (depending on the thickness) and then into small cubes. Stir everything together with the chives, cilantro, and oil.
  • Combine thoroughly and season with salt and pepper. Let the salsa sit for about 20 minutes before serving.

Notes

This vibrant recipe for Salsa Verde comes from Lisa Lemke's The Summer Table: Recipes and Menus for Casual Outdoor Entertaining. She writes:
You’re probably thinking, salsa verde, isn’t that a sauce with parsley, anchovies, capers, garlic, and olive oil? Yeah, but here comes a variation on that theme. With a vibrant flavor and wonderful tartness, this take on salsa verde goes perfectly with grilled whitefish, chicken, or veal. If you like, you can cut the ingredients into larger pieces for a chunkier salad, but here I prefer them finely chopped with heaps of cilantro. If you don’t like cilantro, you can use parsley instead.
Reprinted with permission from The Summer Table published in 2015 by Sterling Epicure. Text © Lisa Lemke. Cookbook photography by Asa Dahlgren.

Nutrition

Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 19mg | Potassium: 292mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 274IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?I'd love to see! Tag @kitchconfidante on Instagram and hashtag it #kitchenconfidante

Comments

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  1. Kathy H

    A Caprese is my summer favorite! Big slices of juicy Heirloom tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and basil drizzled with olive oil and aged balsamic with a touch of salt and pepper. Good by itself or on a baguette. Yum!

    Reply
  2. Liz+Barbo

    Grilling is a must!  Seasoned pork chops with grilled corn and black bean salsa is a current favorite!

    Reply
  3. Aves

    Fresh salsa with local corn, tomatoes, cilantro and onions!

    And who doesn’t love bbq sweet corn! 

    Reply
  4. Kelly Brown

    i love to grill in the summer and use anything and everything from my garden. It is the best time of year when my produce is my own, even living in Chicago!

    Reply
  5. Maureen

    I love to make gazpacho as the main meal and then lemon or lime squares for a treat.

    Reply
  6. Erin

    My favorite thing to cook in the summer is fresh seafood – especially lobster! That with a nice salad of veggies straight from the farmer’s market on the side, lemon squeezed over the top of everything and a cold glass of rose to wash it down. Perfection. :)

    Reply
  7. Bianca

    Our favorite thing to make in the summer are probably dairy-free popsicles! This summer we’re loving on mango-coconut pops and last summer we make dairy-free double-coconut pops all summer long! I also love making fresh strawberry lemonade…though it always seems to go too fast for all the effort it takes! ;)

    Reply
  8. Mary O.

    I like to do grilled chicken with pickled jalapenos and grilled pineapple slices.

    Reply
  9. Rhode I

    I love to grill the biggest shrimp I can find and serve along with grilled vegetables such as corn, squash and tomatoes. Of course, I think I will have to try out the Green Apple Salsa Verde. It may just become a new favorite!

    Reply
  10. Sarah L

    I love to grill a huge batch of vegetables, eat them as a side dish the first night, and make salads with them the next day.

    Reply
  11. Ashley

    I really enjoy making homemade pizza with a lot of fresh veggies!

    Reply
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