Salsa Recipe: First Attempt from Scratch

Usually when I have tomatoes coming on too fast to eat fresh, I make either tomato juice or salsa. However, I usually take the easy way out and use Mrs. Wages Salsa Mix. I opened the cabinet and low and behold, I did not have any. Well I had too many tomatoes and I needed to do something, therefore I tried my hand at making salsa from scratch. 

 

Ingredients for Salsa made from Scratch 

• 15 fresh tomatoes 
• 2 cloves of fresh garlic
• 1 large onion2 large green bell peppers
• 1 large sweet red, orange or purple bell pepper
• 2 banana peppers; yellow, green or red
• 4 fresh jalapeno peppers; whole thing for heat 

 

 

Step Two for Salsa made from Scratch 

• 1 large onion, purple or white; minced or finely chopped 
• 1 large sweet pepper; red, purple, orange or yellow; minced or finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1 tbsp sugar or sugar substitute
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp cumin 

 

Instructions for Salsa made from Scratch

1. In a large stockpot, mix the tomatoes, onion, green bell peppers, red bell pepper, banana peppers, jalapeno peppers and garlic. We like a smoother consistency so I ran it through a ricing mill just like making tomato juice.
2. Stir in the chopped onion, sweet pepper, vinegar, sugar, and season with chili powder, cumin, and salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low, and simmer 1 hour or until the desired consistency is reached.
3. Transfer salsa to sterilized jars, leaving 1/2 inch headroom, and seal. Process jars in a hot water bath 15 minutes. Store the unsealed jars in the refrigerator.