Translated in Spanish, pico de gallo literally means “beak of rooster.” Some believe this is because it was originally eaten by pinching between the thumb and finger, making the shape of a rooster’s beak. Pico de gallo, however, has nothing to do with roosters, or birds in general.
Some believe the name comes from the ancient method of eating pico de gallo, which was using your thumb and forefinger to grab and eat it, forming a rooster or chicken profile with one’s hand (cue the childhood shadow puppet fun). Others believe it comes from the food’s similar texture to chicken feed. While some Sonoran people in Mexico believe its name originates from the shape of the serrano pepper used in the dish. The most creative theory is that the name derives from the sensation of a rooster pecking a person’s tongue when fighting rooster handlers would put the bird’s head in their mouths to calm them before a fight…definitely thinking out of the box on that theory.
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Serve pico de gallo as a garnish on any meal such as chicken, fish, tacos, or simply enjoy it with some crispy tortilla chips.
In any case, pico de gallo traces back to ancient Aztec cuisine and specifically from the Yucatan Peninsula, Sonora, Guanajuato, and Oaxaca regions of Mexico. It also goes by the name salsa bandera, which means flag salsa, because it depicts the green, white, and red colors of the Mexican national flag. This chunky salsa dish has a kick that brightens and freshens up any meal or snack table.
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A Healthier Cinco de Mayo
Hailing from Mexico, pico de gallo is a flavorful uncooked sauce that literally translates to “rooster’s beak”—which may be a reference to its vibrant, rooster-like colors, or how the diced salsa resembles bird food. Its green, white and red colors also remind people of the Mexican flag, hence its other name “Flag Salsa”.
In any case, pico de gallo definitely earned the title “Lazy Salsa” because it’s so quick and easy to make (it takes only 10 minutes)! Chunkier than traditional salsa, the sauce is a mixture of chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, peppers, salt, garlic and lime juice.
With so many vegetables as its ingredients, it’s not hard to believe pico de gallo is also full of health benefits. Armed with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, the onions and garlic in the sauce may prevent the hardening of your arteries, fight bacteria and protect against heart disease. Tomatoes may help prevent prostate, urinary, intestinal and other cancers. Double dipping doesn’t hurt with this salsa because it’s antioxidant-rich, low-calorie and low-fat—which makes it a great dip for fresh veggies or tortilla chips and also a refreshing addition to many other dishes! Try using it on tacos, inside quesadillas, atop steamed fish, in salads and with avocados.
- 7 tomatoes, diced (or 2 ½ pound container of pre-diced tomatoes)
- 1 ½ cups, diced onion
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro – or use 1 bag (8 oz.) of frozen cilantro
- ½ cup diced green pepper
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened lime juice
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup canola oil
1) Place all ingredients except vinegar and oil in a large mixing bowl. Pour in vinegar and oil and gently mix to combine. Cover and refrigerate below 40° F for at least 1 hour before serving.
Yield: 8 cups
You can keep leftover pico de gallo for a week if you store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator, though tomatoes may get a little mushy and cilantro will wilt. Try making this awesome sauce today!
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FAQ
What is the Spanish to English translation of pico de gallo?
What do Americans call pico de gallo?
What is pico de gallo alternate name?
What does Pico de gallo mean?
Pico de gallo ( Spanish pronunciation: [ˈpiko ðe ˈɣaʝo], lit. ‘rooster’s beak’), also called salsa fresca (‘fresh sauce’), salsa bandera (‘flag sauce’), and salsa cruda (‘raw sauce’), is a type of salsa commonly used in Mexican cuisine.
How did Pico de gallo get its name?
Finally, another tale maintains the Idea the name deduce the name from the shape of the Serrano peppers, similar to a rooster beak. The Classic Pico de Gallo recipe requires just five ingredients: ripe tomatoes, onion, Mexican green peppers, fresh cilantro, and lime juice.
What is Pico de Gallo made of?
It is traditionally made from chopped tomato, onion, and serrano peppers ( jalapeños or habaneros may be used as alternatives), with salt, lime juice, and cilantro . Pico de gallo can be used in much the same way as Mexican liquid salsas. Because it contains less liquid, it also can be used as a main ingredient in dishes such as tacos and fajitas .
Is Pico de gallo a sauce or a salad?
Even if the ingredients and the method to prepare Pico de Gallo are closer to a salad than a sauce, in Mexico is common to refer to it as a salsa (sauce). The origin of the name Pico de Gallo (rooster beak) is mysterious and has many interpretations.