Salsa is the Spanish word for sauce, and it has a rich history. Salsa can be traced back to the three main Central American tribes, the Incas, the Aztecs, and the Mayans. The first salsas were made using tomatoes, chili peppers and ground squash seed. It was served as a condiment for an array of meats such as fish, venison, and lobster. The conquest of Mexico in 1519-1521 by the Spanish Conquistadors marked the Europeans first encounter with the sauce. It wasn’t officially called salsa until Alonso de Molina gave it the name in 1571. 1898 was the first year where salsa was available in cook books that were released to the general public. There was book that was released that contained the recipe for salsa Fresca which means fresh sauce.
