Salsa!

Okay, so it's not Cajun! But it IS spicy! And these recipes are VERY low sodium! So, let's DANCE!


It begins with a trip to the farmer's market for fresh tomatoes, onions, jalapeno peppers, and cilantro.  I also found beautiful tomatillos, so we'll make a batch of that, too!




8 pounds fresh tomatoes
1 large red onion, chopped 
1 large yellow onion, chopped 
3 medium white onions, chopped 
1 1/2 cups chopped cilantro, packed 18 cloves garlic, minced 
8-10 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped 
(leave the seeds for more spice) 
1 teaspoon Mrs. Dash Extra Spicy seasoning 
1 1/2 cups red wine or cider vinegar  

Dunk tomatoes into boiling water until skins begin to crack.  Cool in cold water. Peel and core tomatoes, dice into 1/4 dice. 

Core and chop jalapenos.  Remove the ribs (they're bitter!) Remove all seeds for the mildest salsa; leave more seeds for hotter salsa.  Chop fine- I use a small food processor to get a really fine chop.












Chop onions finely using food processor.  Three different types of onions give this recipe a more rounded flavor- use the same amount in any combination you wish.  The red (purple) onion helps give the jarred product some of its color.


Momma G always taught me that the flattest onions, like the one on the left, had the mildest, sweetest flavor, while the rounder, more bulbous onions, would be stronger and would make you cry more.  You'll have to decide for yourself whether Momma G was right!

Once everything is chopped, combine it all in a big stockpot and bring to a boil.  Cook for 10 minutes.


Meanwhile, prepare (12) 1 pint jars for canning by boiling them for 10 minutes.  Boil the lids for 10 minutes as well.

Ladle the hot salsa into hot jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace.  Apply lids and rings, and process in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes.  Remove jars and cool.  Test seals and label jars.


This salsa will keep for up to a year on the shelf in your pantry.  You can serve it hot or cold, with unsalted tortilla chips, for a low sodium treat any time, or you can use it in any recipe that calls for jarred salsa.




        

Nutrition Facts
Low Sodium Tomato Salsa
( 96)  1/4 cup Servings
Calories		4.1
Total Fat		0.0 g
	Saturated Fat	0.0 g
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.0 g
	Monounsaturated Fat	0.0 g
Cholesterol		0.0 mg
Sodium		0.3 mg
Potassium		21.2 mg
Total Carbohydrate		1.0 g
	Dietary Fiber	0.2 g
	Sugars	0.3 g
Protein		0.1 g