Carolina Reaper Salsa is Here!

Trinidad Moruga scorpion chiles? C'mon, they're sooooo last-year.

Ghost peppers or jolokias? Get serious, that's ancient history. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

Habanero or jalapeno peppers? Puh-leeze! Those are for wimps and newbies.

OK, then what about pepper extracts or capsaicin oil? Totally unnecessary if you're dealing with GOOD super-hot salsa made with high-quality ingredients and enough hot peppers.

If you're SERIOUS about SEARING chili pepper heat, nothing but Carolina reaper peppers will do.

And if you're also uncompromising as to flavor and quality, then we have the salsa for you:

Introducing Cajohn's Reaper Super Hot Salsa, featuring the NEW hottest pepper in the world, the Carolina Reaper chili!

Sure, this baby is powerfully hot and showcases the reaper pepper in all its fury, but it's more than just another super-hot salsa. The Reaper Salsa from Cajohn's actually tastes good, is made with quality all-natural ingredients, and delivers multi-layered heat thanks to the addition of habanero peppers and jalapeno peppers. Garlic, onion and secret spices deliver zest, fresh tomatoes provide the rich traditional salsa base, and a touch of turbinado sugar takes the edge off and brings everything together harmoniously while letting the fiery heat take center stage. There's no pepper extract or capsaicin oil in this product because there's no need for artificial enhancement of the heat level, and thus your enjoyment of this salsa won't be marred by chemical- or metallic-tasting off-flavors, unnecessarily painful heat or any tongue-numbing side-effects that would prevent you from enjoying your food.

Are YOU brave enough to try a hot salsa made with the infamous Carolina reaper pepper? Then get yourself a jar of Cajohn's Reaper Super Hot Salsa from the Carolina Sauces online store, while it's on sale, and you'll earn yourself some serious bragging rights if you can handle the heat!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Top 10 Best-Selling Salsa, Wing Sauce & Condiments for 2013

Salsa, mustard and wing sauce, oh my! Plus ketchup and steak sauce, too! If you enjoy high-quality, great-tasting zesty condiments to liven up your burgers, hot dogs, wings, nachos, steaks, eggs, sausages and more, it's time to try one or more of our best-selling condiments from the Carolina Sauce Company:

1. Gator Hammock Swamp Mustard comes to us from Florida and gets its feisty tang from locally grown hot peppers. Seductively sassy with a mellow tropical sweetness from juicy ripe guavas, this mustard will make your taste buds sing whether you eat it with brats or kielbasa, burgers or hot dogs, ham sandwiches or turkey clubs, salt-sprinkled pretzels or breaded chicken tenders.

2. Bone Suckin' Sweet Hot Mustard is pourable and dippable but still thick enough to spread on sandwich bread. Made in North Carolina using only natural ingredients, it's pleasantly peppery without burning, and gently sweet without cloying. You can also use it for basting ribs and roasts, and add it to recipes like potato salad, egg salad and the like.

3. Pain is Good Honey Habanero Screaming Wing Sauce is a relative newcomer to the Carolina Sauces online store, and yet it was our best-selling hot wing sauce last year. From the makers of the world-famous Pain Is Good Hot Sauces, this fiery-sweet chicken wing sauce delivers big-time in the flavor and heat departments. All-natural and made with olive oil instead of butter or margarine, it will satisfy wing lovers who are ready to move beyond standard Buffalo sauces.

4. Melinda's Black Pepper Ketchup is a far cry from the mass-produced, super-sweet, one-dimensional kid stuff sold in supermarkets. Using only the finest all-natural ingredients and absolutely NO high fructose corn syrup, this superb ketchup boasts true tomato flavor with just the right balance of natural sweetness and savory spice with a pleasantly piquant bite. Take your hamburgers, scrambled eggs, French fries and other old favorites to new heights when you dress them up with this spicy gourmet ketchup.

5. Anchor Bar Original Buffalo Wing Sauce is THE hot wing sauce that began the chicken wing craze some decades ago at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York. Medium in heat with that trademark cayenne tang and buttery mouthfeel, this one is the real deal and a favorite of purists when it comes to genuine buffalo wings and buffalo shrimp.

6. Naga Jolokia 10 Hot Wing Sauce raises the stakes when it comes to ultra-hot "suicide wings" made in the Buffalo style. The searing heat comes from the legendary ghost pepper (also called the naga or bhut jolokia chili). But this wing sauce also tastes good, thanks to a rich and zesty blend of tomatoes and specially selected spices. It's made with real butter, too.

7. Walkerswood One Stop Savory Sauce is reminiscent of classic American steak sauces, but with a delightful tropical twist. Bananas and mangoes join the usual tamarind and raisins found in ordinary steak sauces, while nutmeg, allspice and thyme add a touch of Jamaican flair to the basic blend of spices and savory ingredients used in regular steak sauces. The end result is a multidimensional, food-friendly condiment that any steak, burger, roast, chop or other hearty meat would be proud to wear.

8. Dave's Insanity Ghost Pepper Salsa is the latest iteration of Insanity Salsa from Dave's Gourmet, and this time he's taken the heat to new levels of madness with the addition of ridiculously hot ghost peppers. If you are brave enough -- and have a sufficiently strong stomach -- to eat this super-hot salsa, you will be pleasantly surprised to discover that it actually tastes good and is not just about the burn, which builds slowly but steadily with every bite. Other than the heat level, it's a classic tomato salsa that pairs naturally with chips, tacos, nachos, burritos, enchiladas and everything else you like to dress up with hot salsa.

9. Ass Kickin' Habanero Mustard is a southwestern style mustard with a hefty habanero kick. Whole mustard seeds are ground together with horseradish for a powerful sinus-clearing punch, but don't worry, there's a touch of honey to soften the blow and bring everything together into a top-class zesty mustard for everyday use.

10. TIE Peppers Original Blue Crab Salsa and Key West Key Lime Salsa: One of my favorite salsas from a jar is the original Blue Crab Salsa from Peppers. It's a traditional tomato, pepper & onion salsa that's medium in heat and has real Maryland blue crab meat mixed in! Sounds weird? It isn't. It's phenomenally good if you like crab, and is wonderful straight from the jar, with chips, on nachos, in quesadillas or over seafood enchiladas, and even as an alternative to traditional tomato sauce for pasta. Another unusual but delectable salsa is Key West Key Lime Salsa, with a bright citrusy flavor from real Key lime juice. Zesty, sassy and lightly sweet with just the right amount of jalapeno heat, it's refreshing like a warm tropical breeze at the beach -- and it pairs beautifully with salty chips, chicken nachos and more.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Try Iguana Smoky Chipotle Salsa for Cinco de Mayo

If you're planning a Cinco de Mayo party, or simply searching for a zesty new salsa to enjoy with chips, nachos or your favorite Mexican foods, now is the time to order Iguana Smoky Chipotle Salsa from the Carolina Sauces online store.

No iguanas were harmed in the making of this spicy-hot and smoky-earthy salsas.

Instead, this unique chipotle salsa is made from fresh tomatoes, ripe red jalapenos, red bell peppers and even a dash of cinnamon and cloves for a naturally intense red color and intriguingly rich, deep layers of feisty flavor.

Enjoy Iguana Chipotle Salsa as you would any traditional tomato salsa -- with tacos, burritos, enchiladas, chimichangas, nachos etc. -- and anywhere you'd normally use ketchup when you're in the mood for some Mexican flair, e.g., on hamburgers, with scrambled eggs, in omelets or with huevos rancheros. It's also a nice addition to tuna salad or chicken salad instead of pickle relish when you want to change up your favorite salads, sandwiches or wraps. Stir some of this versatile chipotle salsa into a pot of chile or work into raw ground beef for meatloaf for fabulously fun flavor with a hint of smoky heat. The possibilities are endless!

Iguana Smoky Jalapeno Chipotle Salsa is currently on sale at the Carolina Sauce Company, so buy it today for the 5th of May (aka Cinco de Mayo).

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS:  Don't forget your favorite Mexican hot sauce, and maybe some hotter or milder (or even fruity) salsa to complete your Mexican feast -- we have them all at our online store!

Collegiate Tailgating & Grilling Gift Boxes are Here!

A condition known as March Madness will soon infect millions throughout the United States as NCAA basketball fever sweeps across the country.

If you're a frenzied fan of college hoops and your favorite school happens to be located in the South, I have good news:  The Carolina Sauce Company now offers officially-licensed Collegiate Tailgating and Grilling Gift Boxes with zesty sauces, salsas and other condiments, featuring the colors and logos of many colleges and universities in the south!

The Collegiate Grilling Sauces Gift Set is a sturdy cardboard gift box containing three full-size bottles of zesty grilling sauces for marinating, BBQ-ing, grilling, basting, mopping, slathering and dipping ribs and other red meats, chicken, shrimp, fish and grilled vegetables. You get a bottle each of spicy Cajun grilling sauce, tangy Lime grilling sauce, and sweet & sassy Peach grilling sauce. This Gift Box is available for the following NCAA college and university teams:  Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, Clemson Tigers, Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia Southern Eagles, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Kentucky Wildcats, LSU Tigers, Miami Hurricanes, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Ole Miss Rebels, South Carolina Gamecocks, TCU Horned Frogs, Tennessee Volunteers, Texas A&M Aggies, Texas Longhorns,Texas Tech Red Riders, and the Virginia Tech Hokies.

If you like to snack on hot and spicy food while watching the game, and if you happen to root for the Alabama Crimson Tide, we have a special pair of sauces just for you (and your fellow Alabama fans who enjoy fiery foods). The Alabama Crimson Tide Hot & Spicy Gift Box comes with a bottle of classic cayenne pepper hot sauce to spice up your favorite game day foods, from burgers to grilled or fried chicken, chili, chip dips and more. It's also perfect for whipping up your own Buffalo wing sauce for tossing with chicken wings or buffalo shrimp. The second item in this gift box is a jar of fiery, flavorful picante sauce for dipping chips, topping nachos, spicing up tacos or burritos, and even on hamburgers or anywhere else you'd want to use a spicy salsa or alternative to ketchup. The gift box, hot sauce and picante sauce are labeled with the officially licensed logo and colors of the University of Alabama to show your school spirit and support for the Crimson Tide.

Because virtually all grilled or smoked foods taste better when seasoned with a good dry rub or BBQ seasoning, we offer a Collegiate Grill Seasonings Grill Box that you'll want to bring along when you tailgate before the game and have on hand when you fire up the barbecue grill or smoker at home. Whether the menu features beef or pork ribs, steaks, chops, brisket, chicken, seafood, kabobs, or burgers, the three grill seasonings in this box will bring out the best in all. They come in spicy Cajun, zesty Sweet BBQ, and robust Steak seasoning. The Gift Box and rubs are labeled with the colors and logos of your choice of Alabama Crimson Tide, or Texas Longhorns.

They say variety is the spice of life, and our Collegiate Tailgating Gift Box offers both variety AND spice. Each box features three different sauces and condiments to complement whatever you cook up and serve before, during and after the game -- a 16 oz jar of tangy, all-American barbecue sauce for slathering on whatever you grill, a 16 oz jar of zesty picante salsa for dipping chips or veggies and enjoying on burgers and sandwiches, and a 5 oz bottle of spicy cayenne pepper hot sauce for splashing some heat on anything that needs it. This Gift Box is available for the following NCAA college and university teams: Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, Clemson Tigers, Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia Southern Eagles, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Kentucky Wildcats, LSU Tigers, Miami Hurricanes, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Ole Miss Rebels, South Carolina Gamecocks, TCU Horned Frogs, Tennessee Volunteers, Texas A&M Aggies, Texas Longhorns,Texas Tech Red Riders, and the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Last but not least, our Texas Longhorns Zesty Sauces Gift Set is guaranteed to please palates that prefer big, bold sauces with Texas-size flavor.  The gift box includes a 16 oz jar of spicy picante salsa for nachos, tacos, chili, etc., a 16 oz jar of zesty nacho cheese sauce (ditto -- and it also makes a great dip for chips, chicken nuggets, fries, etc.), and a 16 oz jar of robust, tangy-sweet BBQ sauce that's excellent for grilled chicken, ribs, and other barbecue favorites.

You can view all of our collegiate sauce gift sets on our Southern Foods page. These gift boxes are perfect for any gift-giving occasion!

Do you root for a team that's not in the south? Don't see your favorite NCAA college or university listed?  Email us or leave a comment below to let us know what school or team you're looking for, and if we can find a zesty gift box for it, we'll add it!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Five Fish-Friendly Sauces & Seasonings to Try

The Carolina Sauce Company is well-known for its extensive selection of barbecue sauces and seasonings, but did you know we also offer a variety of sauces and seasonings for fish and seafood?

Whether you're observing Fish Fridays for Lent or for your health, or simply enjoy eating fish or seafood on a regular basis, now is the time to broaden your flavor horizons with one or more of the following fish- (and seafood-) friendly sauces from the Carolina Sauces online store:

1.  Tobago Keys Coral Ridge Seafood Dipping Sauce: This rich and creamy, mildly spicy mayo-based sauce is a delightful alternative to everyday tartar sauce for dipping shrimp or fish sticks and pouring over all kinds of seafood, whether fried, baked, broiled or grilled. A dab of mustard and savory ingredients like garlic, herbs and spices provide depth of flavor, while just a tough of cayenne and habanero peppers give a pleasant peppery "pop" that brings it all together. Try it on fish sandwiches, in tuna salad (and even in chicken, potato, pasta and other types of creamy prepared salads) and in place of ordinary mayonnaise on hamburgers and subs.

2.  Crazy Jerry's Backfire X-Hot Oyster Sauce: Similar to an all-purpose hot sauce but without the harsh vinegar "bite," this hot and spicy pepper sauce gets its tang from lemon juice instead of vinegar. That, along with seafood-friendly herbs and spices, make this playfully piquant sauce the ideal splash-on for oysters (steamed, fried or ray), clams, scallops and fish prepared any way, and even hush puppies, French fries and onion rings. Pour it into a microwave-safe bowl, heat it gently and mix in some melted butter for a sensational dipping sauce for crab legs and boiled shrimp!

3.  Chile Pepper Republic Catch of the Day Seafood Seasoning:  This inspired blend of gourmet herbs and spices will let you achieve fine restaurant dining results at home. There's just enough pepper to tickle your tastebuds, and the subtle tropical flavor notes beautifully complement everything from rich salmon, tuna and mackerel to the most delicate scallops and mild-mannered flounder. If you're looking for an all-purpose, versatile seafood seasoning blend that the whole family can enjoy, Catch of the Day is for you. There's no wrong way to use it:  Try it for grilling, broiling, sauteing, frying, baking, steaming and even at the table.

4.  Rage'n Cajun Blackening Seasoning: Bring out your well-seasoned cast iron skillet, get it piping-hot, open up the windows and toss on some fish fillets coated with this Cajun rub... and when the smoke clears, get ready to indulge in that Louisiana specialty, blackened fish!  This zesty blend of garlic, red peppers, salt, sugar and other spices is exactly what you need to cook up some genuine Cajun style seafood, whether you use it as a blackening or mix a generous amount into your breading for fried fish, shrimp or oysters. You can also blend it into butter for broiled or sauteed seafood, or sprinkle it on during grilling. Some folks even like to season their fries, popcorn and baked potatoes for savory, peppery flavor that can't be beat.

5.  Peppers Original Blue Crab Salsa: Made with real Maryland blue crabmeat mixed with chunky tomatoes, hot and bell peppers, onions and other traditional ingredients, this spicy salsa is a unique treat that will thrill anyone who loves crab and craves a big, bold fresh-tasting salsa. In addition to being wonderful for nachos and for dipping chips, raw veggies and pita wedges, it's also wonderful for spooning over fish tacos, seafood enchiladas, grilled or baked fish, and even tossed with cooked shrimp to serve over linguini.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS:  You can also buy fish and seafood online, including Maryland crab, plump US-caught Gulf shrimp, Louisiana crawfish, fresh Chesapeake Bay flounder and more!

Top 10 Best-Selling Wing Sauces, Salsas & Condiments for 2012

Now's the time to start planning your menu for watching the Big Game, and we've got the zesty salsa, spicy wing sauces and full-flavored mustard & other condiments you need. Regardless of whether you and your friends are cheering for different teams in the Superbowl, you'll probably all agree that our best-selling products are crowd-pleasing winners.

Without further ado, here are the ten best-selling salsas, wing sauces and condiments at the Carolina Sauce Company for all of 2012:

1. Peppers Original Blue Crab Salsa: This is one of my favorite salsas on the planet. Made with chunky tomatoes and peppers plus real Maryland blue crabmeat, it's medium-spicy, freshly flavorful like homemade salsa, and will delight anyone who loves crab.

2. Dave's Insanity Ghost Pepper Salsa: This insanely hot tomato salsa is only for hard-core chileheads and serious fiery-foods fanatics. Smooth rather than chunky, a healthy (or unhealthy, depending on your perspective) helping of bhut jolokia aka naga jolokia aka ghost peppers is blended with tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, habaneros and a dash of capsaicin extract--as if the fiery peppers didn't provide enough heat.

3. Crazy Jerry's Margarita Butt Burner Hot Salsa: As its name suggests, this hot, tropical tomato salsa was inspired by the Margarita and is spiked with a shot of tequila. Limes and pineapples provide the requisite tangy citrus notes, while green chiles, serranos, jalapenos and habaneros deliver the heat. It's like a fiesta in a jar!

4. Pickapeppa Brown Sauce: Similar to a steak sauce in appearance and flavor, this spicy brown sauce is ubiquitous in the Caribbean where it is enjoyed with red meat as well as bean dishes and chicken. Medium-hot and with a robust, rich and complex flavor with a touch of sweetness and fruit, it's superb on steaks, burgers, chops, roasts and other hearty fare.

5. Key West Key Lime Salsa: This sweet and citrusy tomato salsa gets is medium heat from jalapenos and its sunny island tang from real key lime juice. It's a natural with tortilla chips and other salty dippers, as well as on all your favorite Mexican, Tex-Mex and Southwestern foods. Try it with breaded shrimp instead of your usual cocktail sauce!

6. Bone Suckin' Sweet Hot Mustard: This North Carolina favorite is lusciously sweet with a sassy jalapeno kick. Slather it on sandwiches, hot dogs and burgers, enjoy it as a dip for pretzels or chicken fingers, use it as a glaze on ribs and ham, and blend it into your favorite prepared salads (e.g., tuna, egg, potato, macaroni, etc.).

7. Melinda's Jalapeno Ketchup: If you've been longing for a grown-up, wholesome spicy ketchup that tastes great, isn't too sweet and has a good medium-hot burn, this is the one for you. All-natural and with NO high fructose corn syrup, this mouthwatering ketchup is hot enough to please most fans of fiery foods but not so hot that you can't enjoy the flavor of your food.

8. DEFCON 2 Medium Wing Sauce: This award-winning Buffalo style wing sauce is probably my favorite of all the Buffalo wing sauces I've ever tried. Its classic cayenne tang will please the purist and its silky-smooth, velvety-rich mouthfeel is proof that it really is made with cream and not margarine or oil. Best of all, it won't drip off your wings (or Buffalo shrimp), so you can relish in every last bit of goodness and even lick your fingers if no one is watching.

9. Busha Browne's Planters Steak Sauce: If you're bored with everyday supermarket steak sauces and are ready to replace your tired old condiments, this spicy (but not fiery) steak sauce is for you. Mangoes and Seville oranges add a hint of tropical fruit to the traditional savory steak sauce base, and crushed red peppers provide a peppery kick to keep things interesting.

10. Melinda's Habanero Ketchup: This fiery-hot ketchup is just as flavorful and wholesome as Melinda's other ketchups, but significantly hotter thanks to the generous addition of fresh habanero peppers. Use with care or be prepared to burn (twice). But if you can handle the heat, go ahead and pour it on your burgers, scrambled eggs, French fries and anything else you'd normally eat with ketchup.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Dave's Insanity Salsa now has Ghost Peppers

Buy Dave's Insanity Ghost Pepper Salsa

BREAKING NEWS: Dave's Insanity Salsa has a new name, a new look and a great new fiery ghost pepper flavor! The folks at Dave's Gourmet have tweaked their insanely hot salsa recipe to include ghost peppers (aka naga jolokia or bhut jolokia peppers), and have re-named it Dave's Insanity Ghost Pepper Salsa. You can see the new look in the photo on the left.

Ghost peppers have replaced the pepper extract and red savina habanero peppers that had provided the heat in the old recipe, giving Dave's new Ghost Pepper Insanity Salsa a more natural flavor with just as big--if not a bigger--incendiary wallop of super-hot heat. The rest of the ingredients are all-natural, too, and we think you'll like the taste of this new recipe even more than the original. Give it a try and leave us a comment here to let us know what you think!

You can buy Dave's Insanity Ghost Pepper Salsa on the Carolina Sauces website.  We haven't yet updated the photo and ingredients (it'll happen soon) on the online store, so for your convenience here is the new list of ingredients:

Water, Tomatoes, Naga Jolokia Peppers (Ghost Peppers), Tomato Paste, Onions, Jalapeno Peppers, Starch, Salt, Sugar, Garlic, Cilantro, Ascorbic Acid, and Citric Acid.

Stay tuned for more product announcements including new sauces, seasonings, gift sets and more as we launch into our 10th Anniversary year here at Carolina Sauce!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Sweet & Spicy Cranberry Bliss

Spicy Cranberry Salsa

Who knew that spicy hot peppers like jalapenos and habaneros would complement the distinctive tart-sweet flavor of cranberries so nicely? If you are a fan of spicy foods that actually taste good instead of merely burning, try one or both of these hot and spicy cranberry condiments with your Thanksgiving dinner--or, if that's too much of a radical departure from family tradition, use them to jazz up your turkey leftovers, from sandwiches and wraps to casseroles, burritos and even turkey nachos.

First up is one of the newer products on the Carolina Sauce Company online store, Cajohn's Gourmet Cranberry Salsa.  Made from the finest all-natural ingredients, this festive salsa begins with Cajohn's award-winning tomato salsa and then dresses it up with real cranberries (no pie filling or fruit syrups here), jalapeno peppers, turbinado sugar (not corn syrup) and other seasonings and spices, for a bright, seasonal flavor that will complement holiday turkey, ham, goose, roasts, and other hearty fare. The heat level is no more than a mild-medium, ensuring that practically everyone will enjoy its delightfully unique flavor without suffering from too much heat. A natural alternative to that tired, old can of jellied cranberry sauce, Cranberry Salsa is equally at home as part of your formal Thanksgiving dinner, on your party buffet, with your tailgating spread, and of course with your turkey leftovers. You can also enjoy it with chips or crackers, spooned over cream cheese or warm brie, alongside a turkey-filled omelet or crepe, and pretty much any other way you'd use a sweet and spicy salsa.

Cranberry Hot Sauce

Another excellent choice for spicing up your Thanksgiving meal and subsequent turkey-filled days is an old favorite that's made in North Carolina, the award-winning Toad Sweat Cranberry Dessert Hot Sauce. If you're not familiar with dessert hot sauces, think of them as sweeter and fruitier than your typical tangy fruit hot sauce, making them an inspired choice for drizzling over cheesecake, ice cream, fruit, bread pudding, pancakes, waffles, biscuits, and other similar desserts or breakfast fare. This sassy, sweet and spicy cranberry hot sauce blends together real cranberry juice (not cranberry cocktail or "beverage") with habanero peppers, vanilla, cocoa, sugar (not corn syrup) and other all-natural ingredients for inspired gourmet flavor that pairs equally well with dessert as with baked ham, roast turkey, grilled shrimp or chicken, and even as a dip for spring rolls. Its medium heat and superb flavor means that it will appeal to virtually all fans of fiery foods--and you can add it to your homemade cranberry sauce to wake up the flavors, and to your favorite barbecue sauce or marinade recipes, too.

Both the Cajohn's cranberry salsa and the cranberry hot sauce from Toad Sweat are currently on sale at the Carolina Sauces website.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Spicy Artichoke Spinach Dips are Here!

Artichoke Spinach Con Queso

A mainstay at parties and on the appetizers list at many sports bars and American restaurants, artichoke spinach dip is one of those comforting, irresistible snacks that you just can't get enough of, whether you're dipping chips, pita wedges or raw veggies. If you're one of those people who's hooked on spinach artichoke dip but don't have the time or inclination to make it at home, you're in luck: We now have two new zesty varieties available at the Carolina Sauce Company online store!

Fiesta Artichoke Spinach Con Queso Dip is a sassy, southwestern take on the classic sour cream and cheese spinach artichoke dip, with just enough jalapeno peppers and a dash of hot sauce to jazz up your taste buds and cure the appetizer blues. Made with real cream cheese, you can serve this baby straight from the jar or warmed up in a microwave-safe bowl and your friends will believe you if you fib and claim you made this dip from scratch--just remember to hide the empty jar.  More than just a cheesy, creamy dip, Fiesta Spinach Artichoke Con Queso Dip does double-duty in sandwiches and wraps, too. Heck, spoon some on a grilled hamburger or portobello cap for an innovative, gourmet change of pace! Although it comes in a generous 15.5 oz jar, this spicy artichoke spinach dip disappears quickly so make sure to stock up to avoid running out of it while your party is going strong.

Artichoke Spinach Fiesta Dip

For the more adventurous--or those who prefer a healthier, non-dairy dip or appetizer--we've added Fiesta Spicy Artichoke Spinach Party Dip, which is similar to a tomato and pepper salsa but with tangy artichokes and tender cooked spinach mixed in. Sure, it may sound strange, but trust me on this one: This feisty fusion dip will rock your taste buds and have you coming back for more. Moderately spicy with jalapenos and hot sauce, it won't burn out your mouth. In addition to serving as a dip for chips, vegetables and anything else dippable, you can also spoon it over grilled chicken, meat or fish for some southwestern flair, or add it to sandwiches or even omelets for an exciting new dining experience. It's a natural as a topping for nachos, enchiladas, burritos and other Mexican food, or you can turn your Italian food into fiesta food by spooning over pizza or mixing with plain cooked pasta.

Both new Fiesta dips are currently on sale at the Carolina Sauce Company.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Zesty New Salsas for Cinco de Mayo

In anticipation of Cinco de Mayo (the 5th of May, a day to celebrate Mexican heritage and traditions), we're adding a bunch of new salsas at the Carolina Sauces online store, with heat levels and flavors that cover the spectrum. From mild to wild, and traditional tomato to black bean or fruit salsas, we have a salsa for everyone.

Here's the first batch of new salsas:

If you enjoy fruity tropical salsas, Tahiti Joe's Maui Pepper Co. Pineapple-Mango Sunset Salsa in zesty Medium or fiery Hot is for you. Made by the same company that brought us the delightful fruit-based Maui Pepper Co. Hot Sauces, these chunky tomato-based salsas are packed with real pineapple and mango for a bright, naturally sweetened island-style salsa that will make you smile. The heat comes from a blend of jalapeno peppers and habanero peppers, with the Hot Pineapple Mango Salsa obviously having more habanero fire while the Medium Pineapple Mango Salsa relies more on jalapenos for the right amount of heat that will satisfy most fans of hot & spicy foods. Either of these Pineapple-Mango salsas pairs beautifully with all sorts of fish and seafood (whether grilled, broiled, steamed, fried or baked), pork chops or pork loin, and chicken. Of course they're good with chips, but they also add tropical flavor to fish tacos, veggie burritos, sandwiches and wraps.


Caboom! Black Bean & Corn Salsa is a gently spicy, all-natural tomato and pepper salsa that's enhanced with savory black beans and sweet corn for rich, earthy flavor notes that complement any Mexican, Tex-Mex or Southwestern dish. Of course this hearty salsa is wonderful for dipping tortilla chips or for topping nachos, but it's also a natural with (and in) tacos, burritos, enchiladas, chimichangas, fajitas, quesadillas and more. Add some black bean & corn salsa to your chili recipe, enjoy as a burger condiment, mix with sour cream and cream cheese for a party dip or appetizer, or use it in your taco soup recipe.


Peach 'N Pepper Gourmet Salsa is a little bit fruity and a little bit spicy, for a festive burst of sunny flavor that pairs nicely with roast or grilled pork or chicken as well as fish and seafood. Definitely on the sweeter side from the peaches, brown sugar, a splash of pineapple juice and other naturally sweet ingredients, this tomato-fruit salsa is spiced with jalapeno peppers for just enough of a medium peppery kick to make food spicy without overpowering it. Like any well-made salsa, Peach 'n Pepper Salsa is great with chips or nachos and also in recipes and as a condiment.

Salsa Stoopid: Be careful with this ridiculously hot salsa from the makers of the notorious Liquid Stoopid Hot Sauce. Like the hot sauce, this incendiary salsa is spiked with pepper extract. If you subtract that "turbo boost" which was added solely for heat, Salsa Stoopid is a traditional tomato salsa made with natural ingredients including jalapenos and habanero peppers. But don't let its docile appearance fool you: As the label warns, "One bite will stoopify ya." Be a conscientious host and give your fellow diners the warning before they dig in with chips or spoon it on their food. On the other hand, if you're someone who makes big batches of chili or large quantities of other recipes utilizing salsa, you can add just a little bit of this salsa to boost the flavor and heat of your recipe without breaking your wallet.

Da Bomb Ghost Pepper Salsa is another dangerously hot salsa for only the most experienced chileheads. As indicated by the name, Da Bomb Ghost Pepper Salsa is made with the infamous ghost pepper, aka naga or bhut jolokia, blended into a straightforward tomato-jalapeno salsa, ensuring that it will be noticeably hotter than other jalapeno salsas on the market. Interestingly, there are no habaneros in this extra-hot salsa, so if you prefer the distinctive tang of jalapenos over the subtly citrusy notes of habaneros, Ghost Pepper Salsa is for you. Use Da Bomb salsa in the same manner--and with the same precautions--as you would Salsa Stoopid, keeping in mind that it's made by the same folks who brought us the line of Da Bomb Hot Sauces, which are some of the hottest available.

And finally, one more for folks who enjoy a salsa with a super-hot, unrelenting burn: Jolokia 10 Salsa, made with the Naga or Bhut jolokia chile, also called the ghost pepper. Unlike our other ghost pepper salsa (Da Bomb), Jolokia 10 salsa does feature plenty of habanero peppers in addition to jalapeno peppers, and some would say that this one is noticeably hotter--although to the average palate, they're both unbelievably ultra-hot and best used in tiny quantities. Like our other super-hot salsas, this one looks like a regular, every-day tomato salsa when served, so please be nice and warn your guests before they take an unsuspecting bite and pass out from the fire in their mouth. If you are a seasoned pro when it comes to eating crazy-hot food, you'll enjoy this naga jolokia salsa on or in all your favorite Mexican, Tex-Mex and Southwestern dishes, as well as on nachos or with chips (but keep some sour cream handy to help soothe your tongue and tummy).

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: We'll have a few more new salsas coming soon, including a chipotle salsa, so stay tuned!

PPS: To see our entire selection of salsas, visit our Salsa page.

Jalapeno Dip is Back!

The Carolina Sauce online store is once again your source for zesty, spicy, tangy and versatile jalapeno dip! We're thrilled to announce that we now carry Texas Longhorn Bread & Butter Jalapeno Dip, an all-natural--and all-purpose--condiment from Texas that's sure to become a favorite in your home.

Like "bread and butter" pickles or relish, this jalapeno dip is a little bit sweet and a little bit tangy, and because it's made with jalapeno peppers instead of pickled cucumbers it has a feisty peppery kick that's undeniably Texas. Use it the same way as you would regular pickle relish: Blend with mayo or cream cheese to make a sandwich spread or homemade spicy tartar sauce; combine with sour cream or plain yogurt for a zippy dip that pairs with chips, pita wedges or raw veggies; enjoy "straight" as a condiment on hamburgers, bratwursts, hot dogs and other grilled fare; add to prepared salads like potato salad, egg salad, pasta salad, macaroni salad and even cole slaw to perk up the flavor; spoon it over nachos, quesadillas, enchiladas, tacos and other Mexican, Tex-Mex or Southwestern fare; serve with scrambled eggs, omelets, frittatas, hash browns and other breakfast items to wake up your palate; or mix it into ground meat for peppery sloppy joes or burgers.

Texas Longhorn Bread & Butter Jalapeno Relish comes in a generously large 18oz jar, and it's also currently on sale, so stock up now for your Cinco de Mayo celebration and for the upcoming BBQ and grilling season.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Top 10 Best-Selling Salsa, Wing Sauces & Condiments for 2011

March Madness is here, which means it's time to stock up on zesty salsas, tangy wing sauces, and flavorful condiments for burgers, subs and other sports-watching food.  You'll hear the cheering from family and friends when you serve up their favorite snacks with any of the following items on our list of 2011's best-selling wing sauces, salsas and condiments:

1. Peppers Original Blue Crab Salsa: If you love the sweet flavor of Maryland blue crab and enjoy spicy salsa, this one will blow you away. Real crabmeat is blended into all-natural Mexican style tomato salsa for a fresh and festive coastal flavor with medium heat to tickle your taste buds.

2. Anchor Bar Original Buffalo Wing Sauce: This is THE sauce that put Buffalo wings on the culinary map, along with their birthplace, the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY. Spicy cayenne peppers provide the medium heat and tangy flavor for this buttery sauce that's perfect for chicken wings, Buffalo shrimp, and any other dippable snack when you want to experience authentic Buffalo wing flavor.

3. Bone Suckin' Sweet Hot Mustard: Mellow honey mustard gets a zippy kick from hot peppers in this smooth, sweet mustard that can be used for dipping (pretzels, chicken nuggets, tater tots, fries, veggies, etc.) as well as for slathering on sandwiches, burgers & hot dogs, and for glazing baked ham, ribs, chops and more.

4. Peppers Zesty Blue Crab Salsa: Similar to the Original Blue Crab Salsa in flavor, Zesty Blue Crab Salsa ups the ante by adding potent horseradish for extra zip and additional spicy peppers for a hotter burn. And there's still plenty of crabmeat and tomato goodness to satisfy your craving for a scrumptiously unusual hot salsa.

5. Melinda's Jalapeno Ketchup: Who said ketchup has to be a sissy, little-kids' condiment? This all-natural ketchup delivers a feisty peppery kick with jalapeno peppers in a thick rich tomato base that's not sticky-sweet like grocery store brands.  It'll pick up the flavor when you enjoy it on burgers or hot dogs, and in your favorite recipes calling for ketchup.

6. Melinda's Habanero Ketchup: This fiery-hot ketchup is not for the weak of tongue.  Caribbean habanero peppers provide considerably more heat than jalapenos, making this grown-up ketchup THE choice of chileheads.

7. Pickapeppa Brown Sauce: This classic Caribbean brown sauce from Jamaica is similar to a steak sauce, but with a spicier, more complex flavor with tropical fruit notes. Enjoy on any hearty foods including steaks, pork chops, London broil, roasts, grilled chicken, hamburgers, and even with rice and beans.

8. Anchor Bar Hotter Wing Sauce: With the same tangy flavor as the Original Anchor Bar Wing Sauce, only hotter, this spicy-hot Buffalo wing sauce won't disappoint fans of really hot hot wings. Just make sure you have some ranch dressing or blue cheese dip to help cool your mounth.

9. Walkerwswood One Stop Savory Sauce:  This is another Caribbean brown sauce from Jamaica, but with a slightly different flavor than the Pickapeppa version. One Stop Savory Sauce is a tad bit spicier, and the sweetness seems more mellow, possibly from the addition of bananas to this deliciously robust tropical steak sauce.

10. DEFCON 1 Extreme Heat Wing Sauce: If you can handle "suicide wings," you need this ultra-hot Buffalo-style wing sauce.  The texture is richer and creamier due to the addition of real cream to this tangy cayenne wing sauce, but don't let that fool you: Aged cayenne peppers are the primary ingredient, and the heat gets a considerable boost from the addition of pepper extract for an intense, unrelenting and extreme heat level. Use sparingly, because a little goes a long way!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS:  Don't forget to visit our new Best-Selling Products page to find all our other lists of best-selling products from the Carolina Sauce Company.

Fresh Cranberry & Candied Pecan Salsa

This unique fresh cranberry side dish features bright flavors and colors with pleasing textures and crunch.  Sassy, sweet & tangy, with a citrus-cilantro twist, cranberry salsa pairs perfectly with traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas entrees like turkey, ham, duck, goose and even chicken and roast pork.  My friend Nancy Difede gave me the recipe, which I made it for the first time this Thanksgiving, and it was spectacularly good with Greg's smoked turkey and oyster-sausage stuffing. I'm looking forward to making this cranberry salsa again soon and serving it with venison tenderloin.  With Nancy's permission, I'm sharing her recipe here.

The hardest part for me was making the candied pecans, because I had never melted sugar before and the instructions I found online didn't exactly work the first time around.  If you're used to making pralines or candy or otherwise melting sugar, this shouldn't be an issue for you.  Nevertheless, it's probably a good idea to follow Nancy's advice and make the candied pecans the night before serving the salsa.  I didn't have quite enough pecans so I added a few chopped walnuts to them, which turned out just fine.  Also, if you want a spicier salsa, you'll want to use two jalapeno peppers, or perhaps 1 jalapeno and 1 serrano pepper.  The single jalapeno provided just a barely discernible nip.

Ingredients for Candied Pecans
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Make the candied pecans:  Melt the sugar in a small, heavy-bottomed pot, then stir in the pecans until coated.  Remove from heat and spread the pecans on parchment paper to cool completely.  Once cool, coarsely chop into small pieces.  Set aside (or store in an airtight container) until ready to serve the salsa.

Ingredients for Cranberry Salsa
1 package (12 oz) fresh cranberries
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded & chopped
1/3 cup honey
2 Tbs fresh lime juice
1 tsp freshly grated lime zest
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions (including some of the green part)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Place the cranberries, jalapeno, honey, lime juice and lime zest in your food processor and pulse until the cranberries are chopped.  Stir in the green onions.  Transfer to a bowl, cover and chill until ready to serve.  Just before serving, stir in the chopped cilantro and candied pecans.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS:  If you enjoy cranberries and spicy food, you'll love the award-winning Toad Sweat Cranberry Dessert Hot Sauce, made here in North Carolina using all-natural ingredients.

PPS:  Make sure to visit this blog on Monday, November 28th, because I'll be posting an exclusive, one day only Cyber Monday coupon for the Carolina Sauces online store! The coupon will be available shortly after midnight on Monday morning, and will expire in twenty-four hours.
 

Halloween Coupon Sale Ends TODAY!

Happy Halloween!  This is just a quick reminder that our October Newsletter 10% off coupon sale ends at midnight tonight, October 31, 2011.  Use the special coupon code in the October issue of the Carolina Sauce Company Newsletter to save 10% off your product total when you shop at the Carolina Sauces online store.  There's no minimum purchase required, and the coupon is good even on already-reduced sale items.  Just make sure to place your order online before the end of the day.

If you don't already receive our FREE monthly e-newsletter, be sure to sign up for the Carolina Sauce newsletter.  We're already planning our November issue, which will include beautiful and bountiful NEW gourmet gift baskets and boxes just in time for the holidays, as well as a seasonal recipe and possibly even a few surprises.  Our newsletter is sent ONLY once a month (we won't clog your in box with email!), you can unsubscribe anytime, and we never share your email or other private information with anyone.  If you have any questions about the Newsletter, please leave a comment here or on our Carolina Sauce Facebook page.

Don't forget, the October Newsletter coupon expires at midnight tonight!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS:  The October Newsletter also has a scary-hot ghost-pepper recipe for fans of fiery foods

Spicy Mango-Pineapple Salsa

This sunny, tropical salsa is fabulous with fish tacos, tossed with grilled shrimp, as a topping for broiled fish or roast chicken, or simply served with chips. Feel free to add more hot peppers if you want to fire up the heat level. For best flavor, you'll want to use fresh pineapple and fresh mango, but if that's not convenient then feel free to use canned (or the jarred mango slices you can find in the refrigerated produce section of most grocery stores). You can also multiply this recipe if you're serving a crowd.

Ingredients
1/3 cup diced mango, fresh or from a jar
1/3 cup diced fresh or canned pineapple
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1 jalapeno, de-seeded & minced
2 serrano peppers, de-seeded & minced
2 Tbs chopped fresh cilantro
Salt and pepper, to taste

Combine all ingredients except salt & pepper. Taste for balance, then add salt & pepper to taste if desired.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria
Carolina Sauce Company

PS: Love, salsa, or need a unique gift for someone who does? Check out this Salsa of the Month Club!

All Flavors of Pepper Dog Salsa are Back in Stock!

All four fabulous flavors of Pepper Dog Salsa are back in stock again at the Carolina Sauce Company online store! Made in North Carolina using all-natural ingredients, these award-winning salsas feature authentic Southwestern tomato-pepper flavor with an earthy smokiness from chili pepper. Pepper Dog Salsas are delicious with chips, raw veggies and anything else you want to dip. But because they're thick and spoonably smooth rather than chunky or runny, Pepper Dog Salsas are also perfect for adding to your favorite recipes (tacos, meatloaf, sloppy joes, chili, burgers, etc.) and for spooning over enchiladas, burritos, huevos rancheros, and other Mexican, Tex-Mex and Southwestern fare. The three tomato salsas are available in Mild, Medium, and Hot, and Pepper Dog also makes a zesty, spicy-hot Salsa Verde (green salsa) with plenty of tangy tomatillos, fiery hot peppers, a splash of lime and a touch of cilantro. Not only are these salsas delicious and wholesome, they're also low in sodium, gluten free and fat free. Ole!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Habanero Relish & Bone Suckin' Hot Salsa are In Stock Again!

Two fiery and flavorful condiments are finally back in stock at the Carolina Sauce Company, much to the joy of pepperheads (or chiliheads if you prefer) around the nation. First, there's Bone Suckin' Hot Salsa, an all-natural, chunky, tomato & hot pepper salsa with a seriously hot kick and garden-fresh flavor. Excellent with chips and all your favorite Mexican or Tex-Mex foods, Bone Suckin' Salsa is also tasty with omelets, frittatas, scrambled eggs, quiche, as a casserole or fried-fish topping, and in recipes. Bone Suckin' Salsa is made in North Carolina, and it's Kosher, gluten-free, and comes with a free recipe brochure.

Another fiery North Carolina product making a return is our very own Habanero Pepper Relish, hand-crafted especially for us on a family farm in the North Carolina mountains. Made with all-natural locally-grown ingredients including plenty of HOT habanero peppers, onions, savory spices and chopped cabbage for extra crunch, our habanero relish is superb with burgers and hot dogs, sandwiches, kielbasa, bratwurst, Italian sausage, as an alternative to salsa with chips, and on any hearty dish that could use a tangy kick. For every jar we sell, we donate $1 to Operation Sauce Drop, our nonprofit program that sends free gift boxes of BBQ Sauce and hot sauce to US troops serving abroad.

If you've been waiting for either of these zesty condiments, thank you for your patience and I'm relieved to say that your wait is over!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Green Hot Sauces for St. Patrick's Day

Green beer for St. Patrick's Day is gimmicky. But green hot sauce... now that's a natural, even though (or perhaps especially because) Irish food generally isn't spicy. There's quite a few green hot sauces on the market--after all, most jalapeno hot sauces are made with green (rather than red-ripe) jalapenos--so I thought it would be appropriate to list some of my favorite green hot sauces on St. Patrick's Day.

Jalapeno Hot Sauces: I seek out hot sauces that "wear the green" naturally, rather than through the addition of artificial green coloring. In a jalapeno hot sauce, I prefer the straightforward tangy-hot flavor of fresh jalapenos, unencumbered by additional flavorings. An excellent example of such a food-friendly, naturally green jalapeno hot sauce is Melinda's Jalapeno Hot Sauce, perhaps the purest-flavored jalapeno hot sauce on the market.

Habanero Hot Sauces: Green habanero hot sauces are a little harder to find, as most habanero hot sauces use the yellow, orange or red varieties of habanero peppers. Although there are some very good "plain" green habanero hot sauces on the market, my favorite is the unique and delicious Marie Sharp's Green Habanero Hot Sauce, which gets its intriguingly pleasant flavor from nopal (prickly pear cactus). This gem of a hot sauce packs plenty of habanero fire, but the nopal provides a rich, vegetal flavor and more substantive texture that will add authentic Mexican flavor to homemade tacos, burritos, enchiladas, huevos rancheros, nachos and more.

Multi-Pepper Hot Sauces: Made with 4 different chili peppers--habanero, pasilla, yellow and serrano--Ring of Fire Tomatillo Hot Sauce delivers a burst of savory heat with layers of garden-fresh flavor. This is a foodie's hot sauce, as well as a favorite of chiliheads who enjoy good-tasting food. Made with all-natural ingredients including tangy tomatillos, garlic, and southwestern spices, Ring of Fire Tomatillo comes in a generous 12.5 oz bottle, more than twice the size of your typical hot sauce bottle!

Salsas: I have a "thing" for salsa verde, or green salsa. Made with green tomatillos instead of red tomatoes, salsa verde has more of a clean tang and less sweetness than regular tomato salsa, making it ideal for seafood dishes as well as other foods. Pepper Dog Salsa Verde is a superb example of a true salsa verde, made with the finest natural ingredients and sporting a spoonable, smooth (not chunky) texture that makes it excellent for cooking. Another favorite of mine is not really a salsa but rather an all-purpose jalapeno condiment: Just My Taste Jalapeno Dip. If you love jalapeno peppers, you must try this product! Nothing but fresh jalapenos, lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt & just a touch of spices, combined into a thick, rich blend for spooning on your favorite foods, dipping chips, pouring over cream cheese, or adding to your recipes. Speaking of which, Just My Taste comes with pages of free recipes when you order it from the Carolina Sauce Company!

I haven't found a green barbecue sauce on the market, so if anyone knows of one--that's naturally green, not artificially dyed!--please let me know.

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Pepper Dog Salsa Verde is Back in Stock!

I have great news for folks who enjoy salsa verde (green salsa): Pepper Dog Salsa Verde is finally back in stock at the Carolina Sauce Company! This is one of my all-time favorite salsas because of its homemade flavor and wholesome ingredients. This salsa verde is chock-full of tangy tomatillos, spicy chili peppers (green ones, of course), fresh cilantro, pungent garlic and just the right touch of smoky chili powder for Southwestern flair. Made with all-natural ingredients of the highest quality, this medium-hot salsa is made in the traditional manner, using lime juice instead of vinegar and no artificial preservatives or MSG. The texture is thick and smooth, perfect for spooning over enchiladas or quesadillas, pouring over a block of cream cheese as a quick appetizer, stirred into chili and your favorite ground meat recipes, and for dipping chips. Try it with nachos instead of ordinary tomato salsa for a delicious change of pace! Pepper Dog Salsa Verde is also fabulous with scrambled eggs, omelets, huevos rancheros, and even with hash browns. And if you have dietary restrictions, this is the salsa for you: Pepper Dog Salsa Verde is fat-free, gluten-free, low sodium (95mg per 2 Tbs) and only 10 calories per serving!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

Best-Selling Salsa & Relish for 2009

In honor of National Chili Day, I thought today would be a good day to post the Carolina Sauce Company's list of 2009's Top Ten Best Selling Salsas and Relishes (after all, I've been known to enjoy a good salsa with my chili from time to time). So without further ado, here's the list:

1. For the second consecutive year, the best-selling salsa is the original Peppers Blue Crab Salsa, a medium-spicy tomato and pepper salsa made with real Maryland crabmeat. This salsa is for more than chips: Pour it over spaghetti for a fresh alternative to marinara or pasta sauce!

2. Last year we introduced our very own Hot Chow Chow Relish, and it quickly became a best-seller, finishing in second place for the year - and we donate $1 from the sale of each jar to Operation Sauce Drop for the troops!

3. Our third place finisher for 2009 was the same as from 2008, and comes straight from Chicago: Capone Family Secret Hot Giardiniera, a spicy-hot traditional Italian condiment for sandwiches and subs, antipasto trays, appetizers and more -- and it comes with a free recipe for Giardiniera pizza!

4. Another unusual and delicious crab salsa, Peppers Zesty Blue Crab Salsa, was the 4th best selling salsa last year. This version adds a hefty dose of horseradish and hot peppers to kick up the spice in the original blue crab salsa recipe.

5. Our Mild Chow Chow Relish, also introduced last year, finished in 5th place for the year - and we donate $1 from the sale of each jar to Operation Sauce Drop for the troops!

6. Pepper Dog Salsa - Medium is an all-natural, smoky Southwestern style smooth (not chunky) tomato salsa with jalapenos, and it came in 6th place on our best-selling salsa list. This salsa is ideal for cooking (Tex-Mex, chili, Mexican), as well as for enjoying with chips.

7. Repeating its 2008 finish, Scorned Woman Salsa came in 7th last year. This smooth tomato-rich medium-hot salsa is terrific with chips, on enchiladas and burritos, in tacos, with scrambled eggs, and as a spicy alternative to plain ketchup.

8. The Mild version of Capone Family Secret Giardiniera finished 8th last year (as it did in 2008), and is perfect for folks who enjoy authentic Italian flavor but prefer to avoid hot peppers. It comes with a free recipe for Giardiniera pizza!

9. In ninth place is Thomas Fish Camp Cocktail Sauce, an old-fashioned zesty cocktail sauce from North Carolina with a zippy horseradish kick.

10. Completing our list of the top ten best-selling salsas and relishes for 2009 is another North Carolina product, Thomas Fish Camp Tartar Sauce. Featuring authentic old-fashioned homemade flavor, this tartar sauce is far tastier than any grocery store brands and will complement all your seafood fare including fried shrimp, fish, deviled crabs, crabcakes, etc. Kids love it on fish sticks and even chicken nuggets!

Zestfully yours,
Gloria