Salsa Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes: Canning for Delicious Flavor All Year Round
Craving the taste of summer even when the weather turns cold? Canning your own salsa is a fantastic way to preserve the freshness of garden-grown tomatoes and enjoy delicious, homemade salsa throughout the year. This recipe combines fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and a touch of spice for a vibrant salsa that's perfect for dipping chips, topping tacos, or adding a burst of flavor to your favorite dishes.
Ingredients:
- 8 pounds ripe tomatoes, peeled, cored, and roughly chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
- 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced (adjust to your desired spice level)
- 1/2 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Salsa:
- Combine: In a large pot, mix together the chopped tomatoes, onion, cilantro, garlic, jalapeños, lime juice, white vinegar, salt, and sugar.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have softened and the salsa has thickened slightly.
- Adjust: Taste the salsa and adjust the seasoning to your preference. You may need to add more salt, sugar, or spice.
2. Canning:
- Sterilize: Wash jars and lids in hot, soapy water and sterilize them by boiling for 10 minutes.
- Fill Jars: Ladle the hot salsa into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace at the top.
- Wipe Rims: Use a clean cloth to wipe the rims of the jars to remove any spills.
- Seal: Carefully place the lids on the jars and screw on the bands until they are fingertip tight.
- Process: Place the filled jars in a large pot filled with enough water to cover the jars by about 1-2 inches. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. This process helps create a vacuum seal and ensures the salsa will stay safe and fresh.
- Cool: Carefully remove the jars from the water bath and allow them to cool completely. As the jars cool, you should hear the lids "pop" as they seal.
3. Storage:
- Once the jars are completely cool, check the lids to ensure they are properly sealed.
- Store your canned salsa in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
Tips for Success:
- Use ripe tomatoes: Ripe tomatoes are essential for a flavorful salsa. Choose tomatoes that are firm and have a deep red color.
- Adjust the spice: If you're not a fan of spicy salsa, you can reduce the amount of jalapeños or remove the seeds for a milder flavor.
- Fresh herbs: Using fresh cilantro adds a bright and fresh flavor to the salsa. If you can't find fresh cilantro, you can substitute 1 tablespoon of dried cilantro.
- Store properly: Keep canned salsa in a cool, dark place to ensure it stays fresh.
- Enjoy! Add this homemade salsa to your favorite dishes or enjoy it as a delicious dip with tortilla chips.
This recipe makes approximately 8 pints of salsa.
Enjoy the taste of summer all year round with your own delicious homemade salsa!
