Older fruits and vegetables are perfect for this fresh treat.
Growing up, waste was verboten in our household. So whenever my mom had fruits or veggies that were a little past their prime, she made “Trash.” It was a mixture of just about anything fresh, with a little lemon or lime juice, vinegar, oil, and seasonings. Yea, it’s basically salsa.
Salsa has become one of the most popular condiments in the U.S. today. But you don’t have to wait for summer to make a delicious salsa. Winter fruits and vegetables that have seen better days are perfect for this fresh treat.
Mom’s recipe is yummy and goes great with meat or fish. My favorite way to serve it is mixed in with rice or couscous. But I love it on top of a pile of fresh lettuce, too. (We called this a trash salad.) Or you can also simply set out a bowl of “Trash” with chips or pita bread. 
Original Trash
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 small jalapeno, chopped (or to taste)
1 small can chopped black olives, drained
1 to 2 green onions, chopped
5 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1-2 shakes of hot sauce (or to taste)
1 tbls. fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons vinegar ( Red Wine or Balsamic taste great, but any vinegar will work)
Combine all ingredients together. Chill and serve with grilled meat or as a dip for chips.
Variation: Reduce tomato to 1 cup and substitute 2 cups of whatever fresh, seasonal veggies you have on hand. Finely chopped red or green peppers, celery, even spinach works well. Just add to the original mixture and continue as above.
Original Fruit Trash
3 cups chopped fruit (cantaloupe, strawberry, apple, pear, etc. )
2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
3 tbsp. brown sugar
Mix and chill before serving. Great with fish.
Winter Fruit Trash
1/4 cup hot pepper jelly
1 tbls. fresh lemon juice
2 cups small-diced winter fruits, such as apples, pears, oranges, kumquats,
Asian pears, raisins, currants, or dried cranberries)
2 tbls. finely diced red onion
2 tbls. chopped fresh cilantro
Stir together the jelly and lemon juice, then fold in the fruit, onion and cilantro.
Citrus Trash
1 large red grapefruit, peeled, membrane removed, sectioned, chopped (save the juice)
1 large orange, peeled, membrane removed, sectioned and chopped(save the juice)
2 tbls. lime juice
1 tbls. olive oil 1 tsp. minced jalapeno 2 tbls. minced red onion 1/4 tsp. ground cardamom 2 tbls. chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Reserved fruit juice from grapefruit and orange Toss all together. Serve chilled
