z33.org … sharing the love one nibble at a time.

In case you missed it, . This is the biggest sun spot I’ve ever seen. Sadly it was all rain and nastiness here in Los Angeles durning the spot’s appearance and I was never able to view it directly.*

* You can definately see large sunspots on the sun with your naked eye provided you use safe viewing techinques. I suggest a pair of #15 welder’s goggles (or a #10 lens + the #4 that comes with the actual goggles, both of which you can pick up at Home Depot for ~$15). As always, check with your local scientist before following my advice.

No. No. No way! Pico de Gallo is not made *that* way.

Mex Connect thinks it is made with these ingredients:

2 oranges

1 jicama

2 cucumbers

lemon juice

orange juice

rock salt (optional)

red pepper flakes (optional)

Orange juice?!?! Jicama?!?! C’mon! That’s not even in the ball park!

Absolute Recipes thinks green onions are part of the recipe. Here’s their ingredient list:

12 green onions, chopped

2 whole tomatoes, chopped

chopped cilantro

2 tb lemon juice

Well at least his isn’t Mex Connect’s jicama mimosa.

There’s the all time classic mistake of adding garlic. Maybe Out of the Frying Pan‘s hear is the right place, like so many others, but, well, just plain NO!

1 lb. tomatoes, chopped

1/2 small yellow onion, chopped

6 tablespoons (packed) fresh cilantro, chopped

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 teaspoon fresh lime zest

2 large cloves garlic, minced

1 jalapeño, seeded and minced

Sheesh.

And finally how it should be done.

2 medium tomatoes, diced small

1 fresh jalapeño, minced

1 lime, juiced

1 small red onion, chopped

1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

salt & pepper, to taste

Salt and pepper are definitely optional. When lacking the appropriate zing I suggest more lime and or cilantro.

I have to give some cred to the idea of cucumber, it’s actually a light fresh addition to pico de gallo worthy of being tried.

Technology has brought us many things, improving and extending our lives in countless ways. It brings us closer to the atoms and closer to the stars. My life in particular is made more beautiful though images of our star. The Sun is the only object in the sky that can be deservingly designated benefactor to all. Go to the SOHO website to see spectacular images you just will not see anywhere else. You can even find daily snaps of sunspots stretching back for the last couple of years (a favorite of mine).

Maybe we should celebrate El Sol day on June 25th as a warm and friendly counterpoint to our end of year cold weather holiday shenanigans. No sacrifices required!

The first sunspot of the year is a figure eight! Checkout for a closeup.