One of the glorious things about summer is all the fresh tomatoes. If you’re lucky enough to have a backyard garden, a neighbor with a green thumb, a nearby farmer’s market or have strolled through our produce section lately, then you’ve probably noticed that tomatoes are at their peak.

Fresh salsa is one of my very favorite ways to take advantage of locally grown, perfectly ripe tomatoes. Here’s why:

• It’s simple to put together and oh so worth it! Take taco night to the next level by making your own fresh salsa.
• It’s super fresh and delicious! It’s a great match to grilled foods and other light summer fare.
• You can customize it! Make it as hot or as mild as you want it, control how much salt goes into it, go crazy with cilantro (or not).

Once you get the classic fresh tomato salsa recipe under your belt, branch out and discover the other fruits of summer. With just a little chopping and mixing you’ll have fresh seasonal flavor on hand to spice up any dish. Try these other salsas that are simply perfect for summer:  

Tell me: what’s your favorite recipe for homemade salsa? Share your recipes and suggestions for what makes a great fresh salsa in the comments below. Happy summer cooking!