Gustavo Romero's Salsa de Chiltepín

Gustavo Romero's Salsa de Chiltepín

The chiltepín pepper may be tiny, but it packs a serious punch. This fiery little chile grows wild in the Southwest and in northern Mexico, where it's traditionally foraged, dried, and ground into bold, spicy salsas like this one. Don't be fooled by the short ingredient list. Sautéed tomato, garlic, and onion, a splash of vinegar, and a spoonful of freshly ground chiltepín come together in a salsa that's bright, intense, and full of character. This is chef Gustavo Romero of Oro by Nixta's go-to salsa for carne asada tacos ... or to cure a hangover (or both). Either way, it delivers heat with flavor.

Salsa de Chiltepín

Salsa de Chiltepín

Gustavo Romero

Category

Salsas

Ingredients

  • 20 chiltepín chiles, whole

  • 1 tbsp neutral oil

  • 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

  • 1 white onion, diced

  • 4 Roma tomatoes, diced

  • 1 tbsp sherry vinegar

  • Salt to taste

Directions

  1. In a molcajete, grind the chiltepín chiles to a coarse powder. Transfer the ground chiltepín to a small bowl and set aside.

  2. Heat the oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion, tomatoes, and a pinch of salt. Cook until the onion and garlic are translucent.

  3. Transfer the sautéed mixture to the molcajete.

  4. Add the sherry vinegar and mash until a uniform consistency is reached.

  5. Spoon in the reserved chiltepín, starting with about ¼ of the total amount. Add more to taste based on your spice preference.

  6. Adjust seasoning with more salt or chiltepin as needed.

2 comments

MASIENDA |

Hi Joseph! We used dried chiltepins, but fresh ones work great too.

JOSEPH LAPERLA |

Are these fresh or dried chiltepins?

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