Faces of the Olympia Farmers Market – Salsa So Fresh

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By Mary Ellen Psaltis

Edward Jones Block AdFresh garden flavors can be yours, and you won’t have to weed or own a garden. Grab a big spoon and pull off the lid of one of Chile Rey’s Salsa So Fresh salsas, then liberally apply to the food on your plate. In the event you do not have a plate, a bowl of chips or vegetables will work just as well. With eleven flavors of salsas and dips waiting for you, all you need to do it decide where to begin. How about peach-pineapple (fruit with a kick) or smoked bacon jalapeno?

Randy Milligan, owner of Chile Rey’s Salsa So Fresh, began his food service employment at the early age of twelve in the family’s Mexican restaurant. He had the opportunity to work his way up from the bottom, finishing as the manager.

SalsaSignThrough his many experiences Milligan realized the restaurant business is time-intensive and not conducive to family life. He did like cooking, and one day at home he whipped up a batch of his own salsa. That recipe lives on. Family and friends, the happy recipients of said salsa, relentlessly encouraged Milligan to make more and to go into the salsa business.

Salsa So Fresh was born ten years ago. Now Milligan and his wife (also business partner) Joy are celebrating their first salsa decade. It’s their eighth year at the Olympia Farmers Market.

Bayview Thriftway was the first retail outlet to sell their salsas with Ralph’s Thriftway right behind. Now you can also find Chile Rey’s Salsa So Fresh at the Olympia Food Co-Ops, Island Market on Steamboat Island Road and the Red Apple in Shelton.

All choices are available at the Farmers Market.

  • Original Medium
  • Original Hot
  • Raspberry Chipotle
  • Peach Pineapple
  • Black Bean Feta
  • Salsa Olivos
  • Verde
  • Bruschetta
  • Hot Chipotle Lime
  • Garlic Garden Dip & Spread
  • Smoked Jalapeno Dip & Spread

SalsaJoyHere is what you might not know about Salsa So Fresh. All their chilies and peppers are hand peeled with Joy Milligan as the Head Peeler. They have their own hatch chili roaster so they can roast them in batches. Rey (as in Chili Rey’s) means ‘king’ in Spanish, and it’s also Randy’s middle name.

With Randy managing the salsa-producing end of the business and Joy handling the business part, their team efforts provide us with a multitude of joys.

Truly, salsa is a miracle food. First, the ingredients are garden fresh. Chilies, peppers, onions and tomatoes are all A+ in the nutrition department. Then, there’s no end to what foods go well with salsa. For example, Salsa So Fresh’s raspberry chipotle makes a tasty marinade for beef, chicken or shrimp.

Use salsa in place of regular fat-based salad dressing. Top your scrambled eggs or omelet with the black bean feta salsa. Douse your enchiladas with Randy’s special Verde Salsa. It’s limey not vinegary.

Joy affirms, “My husband makes the best ever.” Pop a scoop into your bowl of soup; snazz up your plain rice and mix with smashed avocado. Did I mention baked potatoes or burgers? Of course, remember the chips. One happy customer exclaimed that salsa “works well with every food!”

SalsaTortillaFor the extra spice lovers, ask for a ‘kick,” which is basically a shot of chopped chilies that you can add incrementally to your own serving.

Joy works at the Farmers Market providing samples to hone in on your favorites. You’ll receive a discount when you buy three containers. It might be a challenge to narrow it down to that. If you can’t wait until you get home, no worries, they sell chips and salsa to go. Friendly and helpful, Joy loves to chat with customers to find the salsa or dip that fits their taste and life desires. I felt welcomed and informed with her warm enthusiasm and dedication to better health.

I’m a salsa fan. Using different salsas add variety to my daily servings of mixed vegetables. There are many pluses and no undesirable sugars or fats. Add spice to your life. Chile Rey’s Salsa So Fresh is healthy and legal!

Eat Well – Be Well

 

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