I know I said I’d post these recipes every Sunday in January, but I couldn’t resist posting this one early. Don’t miss this Sunday’s recipe for watermelon glazed mini barbeque meatballs!

What’s a Super Sunday football party without a great salsa? And I’m not talking about the salsa you open and then pour into a bowl five minutes before everyone shows up. No, I’m talking a real, homemade salsa. Seriously, if you’ve never made homemade salsa, now’s the time and this is the recipe. Enjoy!

FIRE AND ICE SALSA

INGREDIENTS

3 cups seeded and chopped watermelon
1/2 cup green peppers
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon green onion
1-2 tablespoons jalapenõ peppers

DIRECTIONS

Combine ingredients; mix well and cover. Refrigerate 1 hour or more. Makes 3 cups.

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Most people aren’t really sure what Cinco de Mayo is, except that it’s an opportunity each year to have fun with friends and sample some awesome south-of-the-border-themed food and drinks on the fifth of May. While that may be true, it’s actually a lot more than that. Here’s the official low down, in case you’re interested.

To celebrate the holiday, I’ll be meeting up with some friends later today and I’ve been asked to “bring a dish.” This year, I’m combining my social life and my new blogging life by making something I’m calling “Cinco de Mayo Watermelon Salsa.”

You’d be surprised at how tasty this recipe really is.  What a lot of people don’t realize is that watermelon works like tomatoes in many recipes and, just like tomatoes, watermelon is packed with lycopene, an antioxidant. In fact, it has 40 percent more of the stuff than tomatoes!

If anyone makes this recipe, leave a comment to let me know how you liked it. You can also check out more watermelon salsa recipes here!

CINCO DE MAYO WATERMELON SALSA

INGREDIENTS

2 cups chopped watermelon (seeds removed)
3/4 cup chopped sweet onion
3/4 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chopped seeded jalapenõ chilies
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 large clove garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS: Stir together all ingredients in bowl. Refrigerate, covered at least 1 hour to blend flavors. Stir before serving.