Canning Garden Fresh Salsa Food

THE BEST CANNING SALSA

Steps:

• Combine tomatoes, onions, vinegar, tomato paste, green bell peppers, red bell peppers, banana peppers, sugar, garlic, pickling salt, and black pepper in a large stockpot; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer for 30 minutes. Mix cilantro into salsa.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack salsa into hot, sterilized jars, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top. Run a knife or thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars into the boiling water using a holder. Leave a 2-inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary to bring the water level to at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a rolling boil, cover the pot, and process for 35 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area.

DELICIOUS TOMATO SALSA (RECIPE FOR CANNING)

Steps:

• Wash tomatoes and dip in boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds or until skins split.
• Dip in cold water, slip off skins, and remove cores.
• Chop all the vegetables and place them into a large saucepan.
• Stir in next six ingredients.
• Mix ClearJel with a little water until smooth; add slowly to chopped vegetables.
• Heat to boil and simmer 10 minutes.
• Fill jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.
• Place lids, screw on bands fingertip-tight and process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes at up to 1000 feet in elevation; 20 minutes up to 6000 feet in elevation and 25 minutes over 6000 feet.

AUNT CONNIE'S GARDEN FRESH SALSA (FOR CANNING)

Steps:

• Put all ingredients in a very large pot and simmer for 30 minutes. Meanwhile wash jars, lids and rings. Get your hot water bath pot going. Put the jars in the the hot water pot for 10 minutes prior to the salsa being done. In a small pan put the lids in water and warm them, but do not boil them. Take the jars out of the hot water and place the jars on the counter, fill with hot salsa, wipe rims, put lids on, rings on (just finger tip tight) and then hot water bath the jars for 20 minutes. Take out and set on towel and leave undisturbed for 24 hours. After 24 hours check that all the jars sealed. Take off rings wipe down jars and then put rings back on and store in a cool dry place until ready to enjoy. Should yield approx 10-15 pint jars. You should have a little left and you can put that in a bowl and eat it right away or just put it in the fridge and eat it in the next few days. If a jar does not seal just put it in the fridge and eat that one first.
• Happy Salsa making!
• Note: To peel the tomatoes drop them whole in boiling water let sit for 1 minute, transfer to bowl of ice water, core and peel. Also, if you don't like the consistency after you've cooked all ingredients for 30 minutes you can continue to cook and it will get thicker. Use your jalapenos to adjust the heat we added 6 this last batch we made and it was nice and hot.

FRESH HOMEMADE SALSA FOR CANNING

Steps:

• Wash all jars, lids etc in the dishwasher.
• Always wear gloves while preparing salsa!
• Prepare tomatoes by soaking tomatoes in boiling water for 2-3 minutes to split and loosen skins. Peel and chop all tomatoes, drain excess juices off in a strainer or colander before adding to extra large bowl. (I half or quarter the tomatoes, then process briefly in a food processor before draining off juices, I like the tomatoes kind of chunky).
• Dice or cube all onions and peppers into the same bowl. Add chopped cilantro. (I do all the onions, peppers and cilantro in a food processor - I keep them kind of chunky also).
• Once all the vegies are in the bowl, stir in the lemon juice, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
• Taste to see if it is as hot as you would like it - if not add 1-2 more hot peppers tasting after each addition. Keep in mind as it sits for a while it will get a little bit hotter.
• Bring all ingredients to a boil in large pot & simmer for 15 minutes. Stir often to prevent sticking.
• Fill jars leaving about 3/4 inch at the top. Wipe off tops of the jars before putting lids on. Screw lids tight then turn back about 1/4 turn.
• Process in steam canner (not pressure cooker / steamer) or boiling water bath for 15 minutes.
• Cool jars.
• Before storing, test each jar to be sure it has sealed by pressing down on lid, it should not move.