chunky mango salsa (with hidden spinach)

It's officially tomato season here in Maine which means we have more than we know what to do with!  I was inspired this afternoon but 3 particularly beautiful heirlooms from our CSA box and came up with this kick-ass salsa recipe!

I really love meals that are exciting for the kids, and this salsa qualifies.  We actually had this salsa for dinner tonight with blue corn chips and wrapped in cabbage leaves.  It is a full meal in itself--filled with ingredients I'd be lucky to get my kids to eat if presented to them separately!  Marketing food for kids is sometimes half the battle. 

I snuck a fair amount of fresh spinach into this salsa just by chopping it finely, and my children who typically don't eat spinach raw, were none the wiser.  They don't have a problem with seeing green in their food (probably because every meal I present to them has green in it of some sort), but if your family is pickier with having distinguishable leaves in their food, you can always quickly blend the finished salsa to further disguise the good stuff ;)  

chunky mango salsa

ingredients:

3 large tomatoes, diced

3 green onions, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

2 avocados, diced

1 mango, diced

1/2 cup chickpeas

1 cob of corn with the corn cut off (about 1 cup)

1/2 cup spinach leaves, finely chopped

1/4 cup cilantro finely chopped

3 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon pink himalayan salt

zest of 1 lime

2 shakes of cayenne pepper (or to taste, but that was plenty spicy for my crew)

method:

combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir well!  taste, and adjust seasonings...easiest method EVER

garnish with a few springs of cilantro and I added some sunflower sprouts because I think they are beautiful :) serve with chips, toast, or add on top of your favorite protein!