Salsa Recipe - Spring Hill,KS

how about homemade Ketchup?
4 pounds tomatoes (12 medium)
1/4 C. chopped onion
1/8 tsp ground red pepper
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup white vinegar
3/4 inch stick cinnamon, broken
3/4 tsp whole cloves
1/2 tsp celery seed
Core and quarter tomatoes; drain. In an 8qt kettle combine tomatoes, onion, and red pepper. Bring to boiling; cook 15 min. stirring often. Press through sieve. Discard seeds and skins. Return to kettle; add sugar. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer 1 to 1 1/2 hours or till reduced by half, stirring occasionally. (measure the depth w/clean ruler after the sugar is added)
In saucepan bring vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, and celery seed to boiling. Remove from heat.
Strain vinegar mixture into tomato mixture; discard spices. Add 1/2 tablespoon salt. Simmer for 30 min or to desired consistency, stirring often. Make 2 half-pints
When cool, spoon into freezer containers. Freeze up to 10 months.

here's what we make:
4 ripe tomatoes, chopped
1/4 red onion, chopped
1 jalapeno, minced
8 cilantro sprigs, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
Juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients and let it sit for ~15 minutes before eating.

20 c. chopped tomatoes
2 lbs. chopped onions (or 8 c.)
10 green peppers, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
12 jalapenos, chopped
1 1/4 c. sugar
4 Tbsp. chili powder
5 Tbsp. salt
2 1/2 c. vinegar
4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 1/2 c. cornstarch

Cook first 10 ingredients on medium low heat just until it begins to bubble; do not bring to a full boil. Add cornstarch, and simmer until it thickens; pour into jars and seal in a boiling water bath.

Ok, first of all, peel the tomatoes. Put them in the sink, pour enough boiling water over them to cover them. Let them sit 30 seconds, use a long spoon to reach down and open the drain. Rinse them with cold water. The skins should slip off really easily after that. I always take out the seeds when I cut out the core, but you don't have to. I just don't like the seeds.

12 jalapenos makes it like a medium hot salsa from the store, so if you want mild salsa, maybe try 6 or 8, or put in less ground red pepper.

Hey Kirsten! An easier way to make salsa is to buy Mrs. Wages salsa seasoning packages. They're in the grocery store or Walmart. They have the directions on the back. I usually add chopped onion and green peppers and jalepeno peppers if I have them. It turns out good. Only problem is the pkg cost $2.50 and is only for 5 pints of salsa...so if you have a lot of tomatoes to use up then you may spend quite a bit in the pkg's. But it's got to be cheaper than buying it from the store or at least fresher and healthier. :) I also noticed at Walmart now Mrs Wages has seasoning pkg's for chili base & ketchup too.
Have fun with those tomatoes. I'm going to try the recipe below with the cornstarch. Hadn't thought of that for making it thicker.

Take Care!
J.

plain & simple, used by many restaurants!

coarsely chop the tomatoes

finely mince the onion & jalapeno

add some cilantro (fresh or dried)

you can also add salt & pepper, if desired.

Quantities are: one large tomato....to 1/2 an onion....to 1 small jalapeno. Let sit on counter for about 30 minutes before tasting, then adjust taste as needed.

This recipe will keep for almost a week, & gets better each day. I usually make a big batch for parties....it's as fresh & as healthy as you can get! No oil, no vinegar, no preservatives.... just fresh vegies! We use it with chips, in tacos/burritos, & as a relish on burgers/brats/etc.