The garden is coming to a close, but I'm still producing a few tomatoes and peppers. I decided to make a batch of salsa for the winter. I have to say it was delicious.
- 5 - 6 lbs. tomatoes skinned and chopped (I used whatever variety I had that was ripe. I suggest allowing them to drain in a colander after chopping to get rid of some of the water)
- 3 cups chopped onion (I used yellow, red and white)
- 1 1/4 cup chopped pepper (I like my salsa spicy so I used a combination of chili, jalapeno, and bell)
- 1 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons garlic
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
It is important to add the amount of ingredients listed if you plant to water batch your salsa. Combine all ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. I like mine chunky, but if you like yours cooked down more, cook longer. Water batch for 15 minutes. Makes about 8 pints. This salsa is delicious served fresh too. I only managed 7 pints, I couldn't resist eating it while I was trying to get it into the jars.
The tomatoes are producing and ripening nicely. I must say for my first year, this rookie has been quite successful. Everything I've planted has cooperated and produced lots of babies for mama. I finally managed to get out of the garden with a handful of Sweet 100s. They are so addictive.
Would I be greedy if I said I don't want to share them, lol? Thank goodness there are hundred's of them that I can share.
I whipped up a bowl of salsa with the tomatoes. I used fresh cilantro, jalapenos, and a banana pepper that I allowed to turn red from the garden and added a small red onion. The recipe actually calls for lime juice, but I prefer mine without the lime juice. As you can see, I also like my salsa chunky as well as hot. It was so good. I'll be canning lots of it for the winter.
I love munching on chips and salsa while curling up reading a good book or watching westerns when we're snowed under. It's nothing for us to get a foot or two of snow during our blizzards in these parts.
I made a dish of jalapeno cornbread this morning. I have to do something with all the jalapenos that I'm picking, lol. Spicy is the word in my house. I've even converted my SIL, and my 3 year old grandson loves anything hot too. His little eyes just water, but he devours whatever he's eating. He loves fresh jalapenos and cheese on his tortilla chips. I've digressed, anyway doesn't the cornbread look delicious. It's my grandmother's recipe. Crackling cornbread was a staple in her home. I substitute the jalapenos in place of the cracklings. I'll be serving it for lunch along with a chicken and noodle dish that I made last night. What are you whipping up from the goodies in your garden?
