Ingredients:

• 3 large ripe tomatoes
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, peeled
• 1/4 of a small onion, roughly chopped
• 1-2 jalapeño or serrano peppers (adjust to taste), stems removed
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt to taste
• Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cumin powder

Instructions:

1. Prepare the ingredients: Rinse the tomatoes and peppers. Remove the stems from the peppers. Peel the garlic cloves. Roughly chop the onion and cilantro.
2. Roast the vegetables: You can either roast the vegetables on a grill or over an open flame on a gas stove. Place the tomatoes, peppers, and garlic cloves directly on the grill or flame. Turn them occasionally until the skins are charred and blistered, and the vegetables are slightly softened. This process will impart a smoky flavor to the salsa.
3. Grind in the molcajete: Once the vegetables are roasted, transfer them to a molcajete (a traditional Mexican mortar and pestle made from volcanic rock). Grind them using a circular motion with the pestle until they reach your desired consistency. If you don’t have a molcajete, you can use a regular mortar and pestle, or even a blender or food processor, but the texture and flavor might vary slightly.
4. Add the remaining ingredients: Once the vegetables are ground, add the chopped onion, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and cumin powder (if using). Mix everything together well.
5. Adjust seasoning: Taste the salsa and adjust the seasoning according to your preference. You can add more salt, lime juice, or chopped cilantro if needed.
6. Serve: Transfer the salsa to a serving bowl and serve immediately with tortilla chips or as a topping for tacos, quesadillas, or any other Mexican dish.

Enjoy your homemade salsa molcajete!