FRESH, PRESERVATIVE-FREE SALSA
What: Signature Foods’ fresh salsa What’s in it: Fresh tomatoes, onions, green peppers, fresh cilantro and salt and pepper and cumin.
What’s not in it: Preservatives or
additives.
Where is it made? In Ottawa, at Signature Foods’ headquarters on Parisien Street (just off St. Laurent Boulevard, near the Queensway.) The ingredients are as local as possible, mainly coming from Ontario.
What is Signature Foods? It’s a company started in 2004 by Paul Gorman, who previously owned The Penguin Cafe on Elgin Street and Zuma’s Texas Grill near St. Laurent and the Queensway. In fact, the salsa is made with the recipe he developed for Zuma’s. But Signature makes dozens of different food products under its own label — everything from cut-up vegetables for restaurant kitchens to paninis
used in food trucks — and also helps distribute other local food labels, such as Craig & Noble Tofood and Denis Gourmet Sausages.
Where can I buy the salsa? Your Independent Grocers, Produce Depot, several natural food stores, and all five Sobeys stores in the Ottawa area. Signature Foods has just signed a deal, though, and its salsa will soon be in Sobeys stores across Ontario.
How much: It retails for $4.99 to $5.99 for a 400-g tub.
Other options: Signature Foods also makes a hot version of its salsa, with more fiery peppers, and a fresh bruschetta mix, which includes fresh basil and olive oil. Signature Foods’ fresh salsa is available at Independent Grocers, Produce Depot and all five Sobeys stores in Ottawa.