Different kind of Salsa

We love salsa at our house. Fresh, homemade salsa is our favorite. Most of the salsas that I have made use tomatoes as the base.
At Christmas time my neighbor Joyce brought us the most delicious fresh salsa. Her recipe is a different kind of salsa than I am familiar with because she used black eyed peas as the base. I asked for the recipe and Joyce said she was almost embarrassed to give it to me because it's so easy. I told her easy recipes are my favorite kind!

First chop up one bunch of cilantro.

In a bowl, mix the cilantro, corn, peas, onions and avocado.

Mix the salad dressing with 2 cans of diced tomatoes in a blender.

Pour the ingredients from the blender over the mixture in the bowl, and stir. Refrigerate.

Yes, it's that easy.

I need to mention that within a half an hour after delivery, Mr. Cactus, Paul and I had consumed over 1/2 the jar of the salsa, we liked it that much.

Salsa

1 pkg. Good Seasons (dry) Italian Salad dressing

2 cans petite diced tomatoes with green peppers

1 can (drained) corn

1 can (drained) black eyed peas

1 bunch cilantro (chopped)

2 avocados diced

1 bunch green onions (chopped)

Mix salad dressing and tomatoes in a blender.

Pour over corn, peas, onions, cilantro and avocado. Mix and refrigerate.

I learned a little bit about growing cilantro tonight. We were at dinner with family and my BIL Stan took us out to the garden where he grows cilantro. As we wandered in the dark through the garden patch Stan pulled a large bunch of cilantro from the ground in order to send some home with us. Here it is January and winter, and yet I could immediately smell the fresh pungent aroma coming off the plants. Stan explained that St.George has the ideal climate to be able to grow cilantro through out the winter. The only time he can't harvest the crop is during the hot months of summer.

I was also fascinated as he showed us his pomegranate bushes. Stan explained that St. George has an ideal climate to grow pomegranates, too. We had the most delicious pomegranate jam with dinner, and I now want to learn how to make the jam. I told Mr. Cactus that for my next birthday I'm requesting two pomegranate bushes. But that topic will have to be saved for another post.