Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Grandma's Home Canned Salsa


Jason's Grandma always canned the best salsa every year.  After we moved away from her home in Utah I had to start canning our own.  I was so happy to bring with me a recipe card, in her writing, for this salsa.  A couple years ago I couldn't find her card anywhere!  It is lost still.  After losing it, I immediately wrote down her recipe as best I could remember. (No one else has her recipe, and she passed away almost 8 years ago.)  

This year I canned the original recipe with a few alterations to each batch.  I recommend making the basic batch, and tasting it, then add more flavors based on what you like.  
This is what I did this year. 

Batch One - Recipe + Extra Hot peppers and labeled it hot.
Batch Two - Recipe and labeled it mild.
Batch Three - Recipe + Wildtree Fiesta Salsa Seasoning Blend and labeled it Wildtree
(To shop Wildtree go to www.mywildtree.com/critz)

Basic Salsa - 
25 cups peeled, chopped tomatoes
3 onions chopped
3 green bell peppers diced
6-10 jalapeno peppers, diced (depending on your desire for heat, keep or remove the seeds)
2 Tablespoons salt
2 Tablespoons pepper
1 cup vinegar
2 cans of tomato paste (optional) 

*Taste it while fresh and add what you would like.
Sugar
Cilantro
Garlic 
Extra Peppers - a variety of choices here
Cumin

Put altogether in a huge stockpot, and simmer down for 1-2 hours till desired thickness is achieved. Fill hot jars, and process in a water bath for 20 minutes.  
Yields 12-14 pints.