Warm Up with A Little Salsa in Your ‘Q’
From place names to architecture to cuisine, Santa Maria Valley’s Mexican rancho heritage is still evident today throughout our culture. . . and Santa Maria Style Barbecue is no exception.
The classic Santa Maria Style Barbecue menu, which was copyrighted by the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce in 1978, also includes, of all things, fresh salsa! Whether used as a dipping sauce for each tender bite of beef, or as a condiment on a tri-tip sandwich, a well-made salsa is a must-have for many a Santa Marian. Salsa styles vary as to individual taste, but here are a few famed types and resources:
-Santa Maria Style Mild Salsa by Susie Q’s Brand. Based on recipes from longtime locals, this mild-mannered yet robust salsa is a blend of chunky California tomatoes, green chiles, fresh red and green onions, garlic and a zest of balsamic vinegar.
-SeriousEats.com features a classic tomato and celery-based salsa as an accompaniment to Santa Maria-style barbecued tri-tip. A California green chili, scallions and cilantro leaves figure in the mix.
-Meanwhile, Bobby Flay offers recipes for a “Tomato Relish” using cherry tomatoes, garlic, red onion and serrano chilies and also a “Santa Maria Pinquito Bean Relish” composed of bacon, poblano chiles, Spanish onion and pinquito beans.
Need still more hot salsa in your step? Riverbench Vineyard & Winery, located along the Santa Maria Valley wine trail, is hosting a series of salsa dance lessons for beginners taught by salsa pro Liliana Graham in spring 2015.
