This twist on salsa is quite simple and pairs the heat and fruity flavor of the habanero with the cooling and freshness of the cucumber to give a nice alternative to your typical tomato-based version.
Ingredients
1 Medium Cucumber or 2 Salad Cucumbers, Peeled and Diced
1/2 Medium Red Bell Pepper, Diced
1/3 Cup Red Onion, Diced
1 to 2 Habanero Chilis, Minced
1 to 2 Tablespoons Cilantro, Minced
Juice of 1 Lime
1/2 to 1 Tablespoon Honey
Pinch of Salt (Optional)
Directions
In a medium bowl, dissolve the honey into the lime juice. Add the other ingredients, mix together, and taste to see if you need to adjust the seasonings. And that’s it!
The salt is optional and not really needed in this dish like a regular Pico de Gallo, but sometimes just a pinch helps bring everything together. I like to use the salad cucumbers (also called pickling cucumbers) because I believe they have better taste and I usually find them to be fresher. An English cucumber works as well, but you may not need the whole thing for the recipe (start with half and add as needed). If you happen to dislike the taste of cilantro, you can add some green onion in its place, but don’t substitute parsley as some suggest. It has a different taste profile and does not belong in salsa (unless you count chimichurri as a type of salsa).
I usually add one and a half to two habaneros depending on who I am cooking for. You can go with half a habanero or a milder chili if necessary, but that balance of the heat with the cooling effect of the cucumber is really what makes this so good. A serrano chili is the lowest heat level I would recommend, but you can decide based on who will be eating it. I tend to add close to a tablespoon of honey because the sweetness is also what helps bring this together. But start with the lesser amount and adjust to your taste.
This goes really well with chicken or seafood tacos as well as fajitas. It adds that little something different from Pico de Gallo or a tomato-based salsa and can really brighten up a dish. It also works well on the side as a salad. Not everybody will go for this, and some may have trouble with the heat level, but it is a particular favorite of mine that is fresh and flavorful and a nice change of pace.