Homemade Salsa

There are some things that I just love about going home to visit.  One of my favorite things is my Mom's cooking.  She is seriously my inspiration in cooking.  Everything she makes is WONDERFUL!!  I love to eat at her house.  I hope that one day my kids will feel the same way about my cooking, because I sure do try to be like my Mom.

My Mom cans the greatest salsa every year, and I LOVE IT!  So do my husband and kids.  So a few years ago I decided that I needed to plant my garden according to what I needed for the salsa.  And that is exactly what I did, and still do (plus a lot more).

My garden is finally getting to the point where I can harvest enough tomatoes and peppers to make salsa.

Terry's Salsa  :)

7-8 qts tomatoes                                                            1 1/2 C. lemon juice or vinegar
5 C. chopped onions                                                      1 1/2 T. ground oregano
1 C. chopped green bell peppers                                    2 T.  ground cumin
1 C. Anaheim peppers                                                    2 1/2 T. onion salt
1/4-1/2 C. Jalapenos                                                      2 T. garlic salt
1/4 C. Cayenne peppers                                                 1 bunch fresh cilantro
2 cloves fresh garlic                                                         1 C. sugar

Blanch and skin tomatoes.  Puree the tomatoes.  Simmer onions, peppers, garlic, and tomatoes for several hours.  You want to cook off a lot of the watery-ness that comes from the tomatoes.  When it gets to the consistancy that you like add the rest of the ingredients.  Put in clean, hot jars.  Give them a hot bath for 22 minutes after the water starts boiling.

I had a hard time finding Anaheim and Cayenne peppers this spring when I was planting my garden, so I just planted 4 different kinds of peppers, including green and jalapenos, and used what I planted.  I think that it turned out really good, even though it was not exactly the right peppers.  I always leave out enough salsa for us to eat over the next few days.  This time, as the hubby was eating his chips and salsa (almost finished half the bowl by himself) he commented that this was the best salsa I have ever made.  So really, add peppers that you like.

I decided that I would get as many canned as I could and give them as neighbor gifts this year.  Otherwise, with baby #4 coming just a little before Christmas season, my neighbors would not get anything.  So I hope I can get enough tomatoes before the freeze hits!