Jul 11, 2011

Salsa de Tomatillo y Piña

Try this tart, cooked salsa, a contemporary creation by Roberto Santibañez, spooned over seafood. This recipe first appeared SAVEUR Issue #140, along with Roberto Santibañez's story Burning Bright.

Credit: Todd Coleman

MAKES ABOUT 3 1/4 CUPS

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. tomatillos, husked and rinsed
3 jalapeños, stemmed
4 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 lb. chopped fresh pineapple
1 tsp. cumin seeds
1 stick Mexican cinnamon, crushed
1 tart apple, peeled, cored, and roughly chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled
2 tbsp. olive oil
1/4 cup passion fruit juice
1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp. sugar
Kosher salt, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Bring a 4-qt. saucepan of water to a boil and add tomatillos and jalapeños; cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2. Heat butter in a 12″ skillet over high heat; add pineapple, cumin, cinnamon, and apple, and cook, stirring constantly, until beginning to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring, until fruit is tender, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a food processor along with 1/2 cup water and puree until very smooth; pour purée through a fine strainer into a bowl and discard solids. Return purée to food processor and add boiled tomatillos and jalapeños along with garlic, and pulse until slightly chunky.

3. Heat oil in a 6-qt. saucepan over high heat; add salsa and 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 45 minutes. Add passion fruit juice, vinegar, and sugar, and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let cool.