Here in West Michigan it is canning season. And Roma season.
I love canning and preserving things for winter. I always feel so good when I can go to my pantry, grab a jar of something that I made and stored to use in a recipe or to eat out of the jar. Salsa is one of my favorite things to can.
I love being able to eat the salsa as I’m making it and adjusting things to suit our tastes. I love using canned salsa in soups, on salads, burritos and tacos. I don’t love the vinegar taste that I used to taste when eating homemade salsa.
One of my aunts gave me this recipe a few years ago and it’s my favorite one. EVER. No vinegar needed in the recipe. No vinegar taste when I use it later in the year. 🙂
This salsa is husband and kindergartener approved and I’ve handed it out to many friends who generally love it as well.
Seth actually asked for some the other week and when he was done with his burrito bowl he informed me that he loved the salsa. Except for the tomatoes. {He ate every bite so I’m not sure what he was referring to; the taste or the texture of the tomatoes.}
This salsa recipe doesn’t use any tomato paste which is another thing that is different about it. It isn’t saucy like most canned salsa it more resembles fresh salsa. Just ignore the fact that the vegetables are cooked. 🙂 It can be as chunky or fine as you would like it to be. It just depends on how much chopping you want to do.
For the sake of time, and my hands, I usually leave everything in pretty big chunks. I make Ben cut the jalapeno up because he can do it without gloves. {Working as a mechanic his hands have grown really used to being in all sorts of chemicals and the jalapeno juice really doesn’t bother them. Until he rubs his eyes….or sleeps on his hands… you better just wear gloves. Better safe than with a hand print burned into your arm. Yes, that actually happened.}
If you just skipped that side note I’ll say it again: for the sake of your eyes and arms use gloves when chopping the hot peppers up for this salsa.
I have tried to use a food processor to chop the vegetables but I wasn’t happy with the results. It’s up to you…
Here is the recipe:
Vinegar Free Canned Salsa
6 quarts chopped Roma tomatoes
6 large onions, chopped {I’ve used pretty much every kind of onion there is, they all work. :-)}
2-3 heads of garlic {yes, heads}
6-8 jalapeno {we leave the seeds in, but for a milder salsa you can remove the seeds}
6 large green chilis- anaheim, banana or green
2 1/2 cups minced cilantro
1/4 cup cumin
salt to taste
Chop all the vegetables and then mix together. Add cumin and a small amount of salt, taste and adjust as needed. Fill pint jars to within one inch of the top. Add 3 Tablespoons of lime juice to each jar. Wipe around the mouth of each jar, place a washed lid on top and secure with ring. Place jars in hot water bath for 25 minutes. Open this winter and enjoy!!
This looks so good! I made the mistake of cutting a very hot pepper once without gloves. I paid for it and learned my lesson.
My husband has been wanting to make salsa! I’ll have to share this recipe with him 🙂
Yum .This sounds delicious .I love homemade salsa, and it’d be so nice to have some in the winter . Thanks for the recipe.
I so badly want to start canning! I keep telling myself I will and always put it off. This was a good motivator to do it! Thanks 🙂
This sounds so good!!! My two-year-old has started eating salsa with a spoon so this is right up our alley. And you’re right about gloves! If you hadn’t said anything, I would have forgotten. I’ve only made salsa once and I almost died!!!!
I love salsa, so this one is worth keeping. Thanks! I plan to pin it so others can find it too. And it’s sure to be a hit with my husband because he doesn’t like vinegar AT.ALL.
Lol! I don’t blame him. 🙂
I love salsa, but have never tried making it on my own (always use store bought). I’ll have to give this recipe a go, thanks for sharing.
I hope you like it!! 🙂
This sounds great! we love salsa at our house. I’ve made homemade salsa before, but not for canning. Maybe I should try that this year! Thanks for the recipe.
I would love to know your thoughts if you try this recipe! Thanks for coming by Beth!
Yay! I have been looking for a yummy salsa recipe. This sounds relish. Thanks! I look forward to checking out your blog more. We sound a lot alike!
I hope you find something you enjoy. 🙂 I’ll head over your way soon.
This sounds delicious and really easy! I’m going to give it a try we love salsa, pretty much on everything in this house!
Salsa can fix almost everything. Burned eggs? Throw some salsa on top! Dry chicken? Chop it up, throw it on some lettuce and add salsa and guac! It is delicious in taco soup and spanish rice too. 🙂
It can’t fix chocolate or coffee though. 🙂