Sunday, August 26, 2012

Preserving the Harvest: Salsa 2 Ways

   As far back as I can remember Salsa and I have had a crazy 'love the heat' relationship. This wonderful passion is shared between me and the farm boy..the spicier the better. Recipes shared here are for mild salsa (if you want firehouse death heat salsa, my son can hook you up!). 
   Two recipes are shared because, well, I have always made salsa one particular way until recently when roasted tomatoes became a wild passion of mine. So, first recipe..our standard fave..second recipe..new love. Here we go...

Simply Salsa

10 cups chopped tomatoes
5 cups chopped green peppers
5 cups chopped onions
2 1/2 cup chopped hot peppers 
(such as jalapeno)
1 1/2 cup vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 teaspoons salt

In a large bowl, stir all together mixing very well. Ladle into pint jars (approximately 6) leaving 1/2 inch head space. Process in water bath. 15 minutes. Hint: a food processor is a wonderful friend:)

Simply Roasted Salsa

12 Roma-style tomatoes, halved
3 cloves garlic, peeled
2 large onions, quartered
5 hot peppers
olive oil
salt
1 lime

Spread tomatoes, garlic and peppers on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and salt modestly. Roast at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.
Once cool enough to touch, peel skin off tomatoes before pulsing them in a food processor (with peppers, onion and garlic). Add juice and zest of one lime..stir well before ladling into pint jars (about 3). Process in water bath 15 minutes.

   Now, break out the tortillas and roasted meats..I feel a fiesta coming on!


4 comments:

Becky said...

Are the tomatoes peeled in the first version?

Unknown said...

Your preference. If I plan to chop the tomatoes really fine, then I don't peel first. For chunkier salsa it is better to peel first because the skins separate from the tomatoes during the canning process and can be unpleasant. Hope this helps.

Becky said...

Thanks!

Sandra said...

Only two people in our family like salsa, so I've never cared to put it up. But now we have a new recipe that uses salsa in it, and it's a family favorite, so I'm going to try your recipe.