Save A vibrant, tangy, and slightly spicy appetizer featuring fresh cranberry-jalapeño salsa served in crisp endive leaves (perfect for festive gatherings.)
I created these salsa boats for a last-minute party and they were the first thing to disappear. The zing of cranberries with a spicy kick became everyone’s surprise favorite.
Ingredients
- Fresh cranberries: 1 cup (100 g), finely chopped
- Jalapeño: 1 medium, seeded and finely diced
- Red onion: 1/4 cup (25 g), finely diced
- Fresh cilantro: 1/4 cup (4 g), chopped
- Lime: 1 medium, juiced
- Granulated sugar: 2 tablespoons (25 g)
- Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
- Belgian endive: 3 heads (about 24 leaves), separated and washed
Instructions
- Make the salsa:
- In a medium bowl, combine cranberries, jalapeño, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, sugar, and salt. Mix well and let sit for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Adjust seasoning:
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add more sugar for less tartness or more lime for extra tang.
- Prepare the boats:
- Arrange endive leaves on a serving platter.
- Fill the boats:
- Spoon 1 or 2 teaspoons of cranberry jalapeño salsa into each endive leaf.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately or chill salsa up to 2 hours ahead and fill boats just before serving.
Save My family loves assembling and styling these boats together before dinner (it’s become a playful tradition every holiday season.)
Required Tools
Sharp knife, cutting board, mixing bowl, spoon
Allergen Information
No common allergens, but always check ingredient labels for processed sugar or pre-cut vegetables.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (3 boats): Calories 32, Total Fat 0 g, Carbohydrates 8 g, Protein 0.5 g
Save Bright, zesty, and stunning on any appetizer table (these boats are sure to become your new party favorite.)
Recipe FAQ
- → How do I make the cranberry jalapeño salsa?
Combine chopped cranberries, jalapeño, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Mix and let stand to meld flavors.
- → Can I substitute endive leaves?
Yes, use mini sweet peppers or cucumber rounds to deliver a milder, crunchy alternative to endive boats.
- → How spicy are these salsa boats?
The boats are mildly spicy; you can adjust heat by removing all jalapeño seeds or using less jalapeño.
- → What can I add for extra texture?
Top each boat with chopped toasted pecans or pumpkin seeds for added crunch and flavor complexity.
- → Can the salsa be prepared ahead?
The salsa can be chilled up to 2 hours ahead, but fill the boats just before serving for crispness.
- → Are these boats suitable for gluten-free diets?
Yes, all listed ingredients are naturally gluten-free and suitable for vegetarian diets.