Can Fresh Garden Salsa

Use canned salsa year-round to spice up meals.

Canning salsa at home is a satisfying way to use the bounty from your garden. The bright colors of the tomatoes, peppers and cilantro look beautiful on your pantry shelf. Before you begin the canning process, lay out all the required ingredients and equipment. Give yourself at least two hours to can salsa and clean as you go. Canning salsa isn't difficult, but it does require several steps and will make a mess of your kitchen. Work with a partner if possible.

Instructions

1. Fill a large stockpot with water and bring the water to a boil. Wash the tomatoes and drop them in the water for one minute. Remove the tomatoes with a ladle and place them in a colander. Peel, core and slice them into quarters. Dipping the tomatoes in the hot water first causes the peels to slip easily off.

2. Mix the tomatoes with the remaining ingredients in a large bowl to make a chunky salsa. Process the salsa in small batches in a food processor until it is a smooth, but slightly chunky, consistency.

3. Pour the salsa in the stockpot and heat over medium-high heat until just simmering. Stir frequently so it doesn't burn.

4. Fill a boiling water canner with water and heat it on the stove over medium-high heat until it is simmering. Wash four pint jars in very hot water. Pour simmering water over four lids and rims.

5. Fill the jars with salsa, leaving 1/2-inch head space at the top to allow room for the salsa to expand during the canning process. Insert a rubber spatula in the jars, stirring to remove any air bubbles. Wash the tops of the jars with a clean cloth and place the lids and rings securely over them.

6. Set the jars in the canner with a jar lifter and turn up the heat. Put the lid on the canner. Once the water in the canner reaches a rolling boil, reduce the heat to medium high and process the salsa for 15 minutes. Remove the jars with a jar lifter and place them on a clean, dry towel. Allow them to cool overnight before storing them.

Tags: jars with, canner with, canning process, Canning salsa, heat until, medium-high heat