Few things compare to the satisfaction of crafting your own homemade salsa and mastering the art of canning. Explosive flavors, the use of fresh vegetables and playing with spices is a fun and easy way to introduce yourself to canning. Canning is a preservation technique that can transforms your garden-fresh salsa into a pantry staple relished long after the harvest season.
Canning isn’t just about preservation; it’s about capturing memories, traditions and the essence of the seasons. Imagine opening a jar of your own salsa in the dead of winter and being transported to the warmth of summer, when tomatoes were plucked straight from the vine.
A flavorful foundation.
The foundation of canning salsa lies in a carefully crafted recipe that balances flavors and textures. A combination of ripe tomatoes, fiery jalapenos, onions, garlic and a medley of vegetables create this recipes foundation. The choice of tomatoes – whether Roma for a smoother consistency or beefsteak for a chunkier salsa – allows you to customize the experience according to your preferences.
Diving into the canning process.
The canning process begins with blanching and peeling tomatoes, a step that softens the skins for easy removal. The vegetables are chopped, minced or pureed according to your desired salsa texture. The medley is then cooked down with a symphony of spices – cumin, pepper and a dash of sugar – infusing the mixture with depth and complexity.
As the mixture simmers, the flavors meld together. The next step is a crucial one: transferring your savory creation into sanitized canning jars. Leaving a little headspace, you cap the jars and submerge them in a boiling water bath canner. Canning ensures the salsa’s long-term preservation, allowing it to be shelf-stable for months to come.
Year-long enjoyment.
When the snow falls and gardens slumber, canned foods keep the flavors of summer going. Whether enjoyed as a dip, a topping, or an ingredient in various dishes, enjoy the fruits of your labor all year-long.
Canning salsa is a celebration of taste, creativity and nostalgia. Capture the essence of your garden this summer with this beginner’s canned salsa recipe that is a great introduction to food preservation.
Beginner’s Canned Salsa
Equipment
- 1 water bath canner
- 1 food processor optional
- 1 large kettle
Ingredients
- 20 tomatoes We suggest using Roma tomatoes for a smoother salsa or beefsteak tomatoes for chunky.
- 10 jalapenos give or take for desired spiciness
- 3 onions
- 4 garlic cloves
- 3 green peppers
- 3 carrots
- 3 celery stalks
- 3 cans tomato paste 12 oz cans; use more for a thicker salsa
- 4 tbsp sugar
- 4 tbsp salt
- 1 1/2 cup vinegar
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Boil tomatoes in a large kettle of water until peels start to come off.
- Stop the boil and remove tomatoes. Remove remaining skins and return to empty kettle. For a smoother salsa, puree the tomatoes in a food processor before returning.
- Chop all remaining vegetables or puree in a food processor.
- Add all veggies and spices to the kettle and cook to desired consistency (approx. 30 minutes)
- Pour the hot mixture into clean, sanitized canning jars, leaving ½ inch of headspace. Place lids on top of jars until finger tight.
- Process prepared jars for 10 minutes in a boiling water bath canner with one inch of water over the jars.
- Turn off the burner and leave in water for 5 additional minutes.
- Remove from canner and cool on a rack or towel for 12 to 24 hours.
Notes
- Do not check the seal on the jars until 12 to 24 hours has past. Check the seal by gently tapping on the top of the lid. If the lid does not pop, it is sealed. If there is an air bubble and the lid pops, it is not sealed.
- If your jar is not sealed, do not fret! It is still good to eat – just put it in the fridge and consume first!
- This is a great introductory recipe for canning, so do not hesitate to give it a go even if you have never canned before.
- Play with flavors! This recipe can easily be customized by playing with spices, adjusting the amount of peppers used and alternating the quantities of veggies.