Green Zebra Pico De Gallo

 Green Zebra Pico De Gallo

Bruce and I were out of town for nearly a week on a trip to the Southwestern portion of the United States in the small desert community of Aguanga, California.  It’s about 20 miles southeast of Hemet and is nearly 2,500 feet in elevation.  It’s pleasantly rural and has some stunning high desert views.  We spent 5 amazing days with family and friends.

View across the valley…

Some prickly cacti…  The spines are crazy sharp.  Note to self… Don’t touch.

More cactus.  This one had small symmetrical bunches of reddish colored spines.

This plant is called a red hot poker.  The blooms are a beautiful orange red color.  They thrive well in the hot desert sun.

Succulents in a pot.

Agave cactus.

Thunderstorms over the valley.  There was plenty of thunder and lightning during our stay and when it rained, it poured…  The views across the valley were lovely, even when it rained.

Bruce and I got home late Sunday night and the next morning before I left for work, I found bunches of ripe tomatoes in our garden.  When I say a bunches, I mean at least a gallon of fresh tomatoes.  I picked at least 6 varieties before I headed out to the office.  When Bruce and I left on our trip, all the tomatoes on the vines were unripe and not ready to be picked.

Tomatoes are my favorite vegetable (technically, a fruit).  Every spring I make it a point to plant some of the wildest looking tomato plants that I can find.  I have pink tomatoes, black tomatoes, orange, green, yellow, and a couple of local red varieties.  When I plant tomatoes, Green Zebras are always at the top of my list.  I love the Green Zebras because they are deliciously mild in flavor and they always make for a uniquely colored tomato dish.

Do you see the pretty dark green stripes and the light green skin?  With some of these fresh picked Green Zebra tomatoes, I decided to make a simple pico de gallo to serve with chicken soft tacos and crunchy tortilla chips.  Pico de gallo is a fresh, uncooked Mexican salsa usually made with bright red tomatoes, white onions, peppers, lime and spices.  I decided to make mine with my Green Zebra tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, lime, jalapenos, garlic, salt and pepper.  It’s easy and delicious!  Enjoy!  Tessa

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes (I used Green Zebras)
  • juice of two limes
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions
  • 2 Tbs chopped cilantro
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 Tbs minced jalapeno (optional)

Mix all ingredients in a medium sized bowl.  Cover and chill for about an hour before serving.  Makes about 2 cups.

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17 thoughts on “Green Zebra Pico De Gallo”

    1. Tessa Post author

      Thank you Hannah! If you go to visit, go in the spring… It’s much cooler at that time of year.

  4. Lasuch w kuchni

    What a lovely vacation you had and what incredible view you had the chance to see. Wonderful. I also love tomatoes, they are in season right now so I eat them as apples, they are so good , juicy, flavorful and delicious. But I only know red and yellow ones. I have never seen green zebra tomatoes or the other varieties that you write about like pink or black. This is such a novelty for me but I have never seen any of those on the market. What a pity since I am such a big fan of tomatoes.

    1. Tessa Post author

      Thank you Joanna! If you want some seeds from the Green Zebras for next season, just shoot me an email :).

      1. Lasuch w kuchni

        Oh that’s very thoughtfull of you Tessa :-D i did some research and although such tomatoes are not available on the market stalls where I live I can still buy online a variety of seeds including those lovely green zebras :-D But anyway thanks very much for your kind offer :-D

  6. mjskit

    I have got to find some of those tomatoes! They are gorgeous and do make a lovely pico de gallo! What is the length of the growing season for these tomatoes and are they very prolific?

    1. Tessa Post author

      Thank you MJ! If you want, I will save you some seeds for next year. 78 days to maturity and they are indeterminate. They are probably one of my “pickiest” tomatoes to grow.

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