Pico de gallo

Pico de gallo(Spanish pronunciation:[ˈpikoðeˈɣaʝo],lit. 'rooster's beak'), also calledsalsa fresca('fresh sauce'),salsa bandera('flag sauce'), andsalsa cruda('raw sauce'), is a type ofsalsacommonly used inMexican cuisine.It is traditionally made from choppedtomato,onion,andserrano peppers(jalapeñosorhabanerosmay be used as alternatives), with salt, lime juice, andcilantro.

Pico de gallo made with tomato, onion, and cilantro

Limessometimes accompany the sauce.

Pico de gallocan be used in much the same way as Mexican liquid salsas. Because it contains less liquid, it also can be used as a main ingredient in dishes such astacosandfajitas.

The tomato-based variety is widely known assalsa picada('minced/choppedsauce'). In Mexico it is normally calledsalsa mexicana('Mexican sauce'). Because the colors of the red tomato, white onion, and green chili and cilantro are reminiscent of the colors of theMexican flag,it is also calledsalsa bandera('flag sauce').

In many regions of Mexico the termpico de gallodescribes any of a variety ofsalads(includingfruit salads),salsa,orfillingsmade withtomato,tomatillo,avocado,orange,jícama,cucumber,papaya,or mild chilis. The ingredients are tossed in lime juice and optionally with eitherhot sauceorchamoy,then sprinkled with a saltychili powder.

Etymology

Many native residents of theSonoran Mexicoregion explain that the salsa is thus named because theserrano pepperresembles a rooster's beak in shape.

According tofood writerSharon Tyler Herbst,pico de gallo( "rooster's beak" ) is named thus because originally people ate it by pinching pieces between thethumbandforefinger.

In their bookAuthentic Mexican: Regional Cooking from the Heart of Mexico,Rick Baylessand Deann Groen speculate that the name might allude to thebird-feed–like texture and appearance of the mince.

See also

• Dabu-dabu
• Lomi salmon
• Pebre
• Vinagrete
• Xnipec
• Afghan salad,a similar salad from Afghanistan
• Arab salad,a similar salad from the Arab world
• Çoban salatası,a similar salad from Turkey
• Greek salad,a similar salad from Greece
• Israeli salad,a similar salad from Israel
• Kachumbari,a similar salad from East Africa
• Kachumber,a similar salad from India
• Bruschetta(topping), a similar appetizer from Italy
• Serbian salad,a similar salad from Serbia
• Shirazi salad,a similar salad from Iran
• Shopska salad,a similar salad from Bulgaria
• List of Mexican dishes
• List of tomato dishes

External links

• Pico de Galloat the Wikibooks Cookbook subproject