How can you give your grilled chicken a healthy kick?
Add a bit of fresh salsa.
Based in The Plains in Fauquier County, Lilly Castano has been serving fresh salsa to customers across Northern Virginia. Her company, Salsa Las Glorias, is named after her mother (Gloria’s Salsas) who brought her into the world of fresh salsa.
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Castano’s mother, Gloria Espinoza, taught her how to make fresh salsa. After the pair made a batch of salsa, Espinoza wanted to go out and sell their salsa at local farmer’s markets. Castano’s husband suggested she accompany her mother, who knew very little English.
Castano makes six different types of salsa, ranging from mild to hot. Habanero peppers are used in the hot salsa, while tomatillo peppers are used in the milder blends. Castano uses locally grown ingredients, including fresh greenhouse tomatoes from a distributor in Front Royal. All of her salsas have no added water, vinegar, or preservatives.
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Castano has been selling salsa at farmers markets across Fauquier County for years, but this is her first year at the Mount Vernon Farmers Market.
“I love to come to the market and talk to people,” said Castano. “They recognize me when I’m at the store and they say, ‘Oh, it’s the Salsa Lady!’”
Castano’s homemade salsas are extremely popular with customers at the Mount Vernon Farmers Market. Castano recommends that customers use the salsas as marinades for grilled fish or chicken. Every month, Castano posts a new recipe on her website that uses her homemade salsa.
For more information about Salsa Las Glorias, visit Castano’s website. Be sure to visit her booth at the Mount Vernon Farmers Market every Wednesday from 8 a.m. - noon.
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