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When you hear pico de gallo, you probably think of a dish of fresh chopped tomatoes, onions, and chili peppers to pile onto your tostada or serve up with crispy tortilla chips or other favorite Mexican food.
But when it comes to pico de gallo, almost anything goes. In Spanish, the phrase means simply rooster's beak, and it refers to any variety of fresh condiments, including fresh fruit salad stirred with a squirt of lime juice and a dash of salty chili powder. Some believe that the term rooster's beak is a reference to the male machismo needed to stand up to the heat of the chilies in a good pico de gallo.
Of course, the chilies in pico don't have to be hot. There are some 3,716 varieties of chilies to choose from, and the most fun of all is to grow your own, organically.
The ChileMan touts itself as the world's most comprehensive, fully illustrated chili database. You'll find great tips on succeeding with growing organic chilies, as well as a chili forum, a guide to hydroponics, and much, much more.
Salivating over sustainable eats? Learn how to make your own with help from Emeril Lagasse in Planet Green TV's organic cooking show, Emeril Green.
