Plum Salsa is delicious with chips, or with chicken, fish, pork, grilled veggies, or steaks. I love being able to use seasonal, local produce in new ways and this salsa is a delicious way to use fresh plums.

Summer Fruit in Savory Dishes

We have such a bounty of summer fruit that I am always thinking up tasty new ways to use it. I like to think outside of the dessert box and try fruit in some savory dishes, like Peach Whisky Chicken Kebabs, or Balsamic Cherry Feta Prosciutto Pizza.

Plums in a Salsa?

Usually, we think of salsa as a tomato-based, spicy condiment, so you may be thinking that using plums to make salsa a bit strange. However, salsa is simply the Spanish word for any sauce.

Typically, salsa is a fresh, raw condiment with at least a little bit of heat. This plum salsa has all of that and the plums add a touch of sweetness to balance out the heat of the peppers.

What Kinds of Plums to Use for Salsa

There are many varieties of plums, and absolutely any of them will work for making plum salsa. I used red plums here. Just be sure to avoid overly ripe plums, or they will not hold their shape when chopped. Your plums can even be slightly under-ripe for making salsa.

Salsa Heat Control

The level of spicy heat in your salsa is all about the type, and amount, of chile pepper, used. I used 2 jalapeno peppers, and you can dial back the heat by using only one or try the milder poblano or Anaheim peppers.

However, what if you want to go the other way and dial it up? Try adding one or more extra jalapenos, or substitute a hotter pepper, like cayenne or serrano. I wouldn't go too crazy with the heat though. Plum salsa is meant to complement the food, not overpower it.

Because a lot of the heat of the pepper is in the white pith, and in the seeds, when you remove those, you have more control over the heat level.

Here's a guide to the heat levels of the most common chiles: Types of Hot Peppers.

What to Eat With Plum Salsa

Serve this salsa with tortilla chips, or try it with chicken, fish, or pork. And, if you need more ideas to use summer plums, check out Grilled Plum and Pork Kebabs, Asian Plum Sauce or Spiced Plum Jam With Cardamom and Cinnamon