She calls herself “Hispanic with an Italian influence.” Combining culinary traditions of both her grandmothers, Marie Harper -Holt, 56, tinkered with a family salsa recipe that became so popular her neighbors started selling it at their Highlands restaurant. A year later, Maria Louisa Salsa — named for one grandmother — is making its way from the menu at Molly Malone's Irish Pub to local supermarkets (info: www.marialouisasalsa.com).

International flair: “I figure if I can sell this at an Irish restaurant I can sell it anywhere.” After dropping off a sample, Burger's Supermarket called to ask for a case of it before she got to her next stop. Paul's (Fruit Market) makes their own salsa, “but they tasted it and then the next day it was on shelves.” Now it's available at all Paul's locations. “Then I went to Doll's,” and got another warm reception.

More markets: “I do a farmers market with Whole Foods (3-7 p.m. Wednesdays). … I'm an alternate at the St. Matthews/Beargrass farmers' market (8 a.m.-noon Saturdays). … We are (a) Kentucky Proud (product), so we partner with all the farmers here.” Her sons and father-in-law grow some ingredients, and she buys at local produce markets including A.J. Passafiume Sons Produce and Creation Gardens.

Batches by the gallon: “Now I'm making … maybe three to six gallons a week” for three Molly Malone's locations (including Covington). … “I did not want any more restaurants,” and so she decided to try retail with more help from neighbor and Molly Malone's owner Donal Ryan, who helped her set up production. “I hand-make every batch.”

Solo production: “Right now I'm at a level where I handle everything myself … the bottling, labeling, everything. … I'm making it weekly as the demand is there. … I deliver to all the stores once a week.” She also does sampling twice a week at the stores, rotating between them. “I got it lab tested and it's got a 45-day shelf life. The preservatives come from the fresh limes and acidity of the Roma tomatoes.”

Chunky , not runny : “It's all fresh vegetables. It's not cooked. It's not processed. … There's no added sugar or salt. … What makes it special to me (is) it's an authentic salsa that's chunky, not runny. However, it has an Italian flavor to it.”

Looking back: “I lost my mom very early. … I can't remember a time in my life when my grandmother wasn't a significant person in my life. It was just in her honor and what she meant to me” that she named the retail brand Maria Louisa.

— Paula Burba {www.courier-journal.com}