Salsas, Relishes, and Chutneys

It is said that, in the United States, salsa has become even more popular than ketchup. The salsa referred to is, of course, the Mexican mixture of chopped tomatoes, onions, chiles, herbs, and other ingredients. Salsa is actually the Spanish and the Italian word for “sauce,” so the word refers to many types of preparations, both raw and cooked, not just this one Mexican relish. Nevertheless, in English-speaking countries, the word salsa usually refers to a mixture of raw or cooked chopped vegetables, herbs, and, occasionally, fruits.