Garden Fresh Freezer Salsa
Transform your homegrown tomatoes and peppers into a vibrant, zesty salsa that’s perfect for any occasion! This Garden Fresh Freezer Salsa recipe is adapted from a popular Chatelaine publication, enhancing the flavors and ensuring your summer harvest doesn't go to waste. Enjoy the delightful combination of ripe tomatoes, spicy jalapeños, and sweet peppers, all simmered to perfection. Pack it in freezer bags for a quick snack anytime you crave a burst of fresh flavor. Perfect as a dip, topping, or ingredient in your favorite recipes, this salsa not only preserves the essence of your garden bounty but also improves in flavor when stored. Gather your ingredients, and let’s make salsa magic!
10
Servings
150
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
large very ripe tomatoes
10-12 (Peeled, cored, seeded, and coarsely chopped)
large cooking onions or medium Spanish onions
2 (Peeled and finely chopped)
vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (For cooking)
garlic
8 cloves (Minced)
jalapeno peppers
8 (Seeded and finely chopped (or 1 can of diced green chilis))
sweet green peppers (or a mix of green and red)
2-3 (Seeded and coarsely chopped)
tomato paste
2 (5 1/2 ounce) cans (For thickening)
cider vinegar or lime juice
1/4 cup (For acidity)
paprika
1 tablespoon (For flavor)
granulated sugar
2 teaspoons (To balance flavor)
salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (For seasoning)
cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon (For heat (optional))
Instructions
1
Start by peeling, coring, seeding, and coarsely chopping the tomatoes until you have about 10 cups of chopped tomatoes.
2
Next, peel and finely chop the cooking or Spanish onions.
3
In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat until hot.
4
Add the finely chopped onions and minced garlic, stirring often. Cook until the onions become soft and translucent.
5
While the onions cook, seed and finely chop the jalapeño peppers, and seed and coarsely chop the sweet green peppers.
6
Once the onions are ready, stir in the tomato paste and then add the prepared tomatoes, chopped peppers, vinegar or lime juice, paprika, sugar, and salt to the pot.
7
For those who enjoy extra heat, add the cayenne pepper.
8
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil. Allow it to cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes or until the salsa thickens to your desired consistency.
9
Once thickened, allow the salsa to cool. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to one week or divide into freezer bags, pressing them flat before freezing for easy storage.
10
Remember, the flavors will improve over time when stored in the refrigerator or freezer, making this salsa even tastier!
Nutrition Information
3g
Fat
27g
Carbs
3g
Protein
3.5g
Fiber
4g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Garden Fresh Freezer Salsa?
Garden Fresh Freezer Salsa is a vibrant, zesty salsa made with homegrown tomatoes and peppers, adapted from a Chatelaine publication and designed for easy freezing.
How many tomatoes are needed for this recipe?
You will need 10 to 12 large, very ripe tomatoes, which should result in approximately 10 cups once chopped.
How should the tomatoes be prepared?
The tomatoes should be peeled, cored, seeded, and coarsely chopped.
What type of onions are recommended?
The recipe calls for 2 large cooking onions or medium Spanish onions, peeled and finely chopped.
How much garlic is used in this salsa?
This recipe uses 8 cloves of minced garlic.
Can I use lime juice instead of vinegar?
Yes, you can use 1/4 cup of either cider vinegar or lime juice for the required acidity.
How many jalapeño peppers are required?
The recipe requires 8 jalapeño peppers, which should be seeded and finely chopped.
Is there a substitute for fresh jalapeño peppers?
Yes, you can substitute the 8 fresh jalapeño peppers with 1 can of diced green chilis.
What kind of sweet peppers can I use?
You can use 2 to 3 sweet green peppers or a mix of green and red sweet peppers.
What is the purpose of adding tomato paste?
The tomato paste is used as a thickening agent for the salsa.
How much tomato paste does the recipe call for?
The recipe calls for 2 cans (5 1/2 ounces each) of tomato paste.
How much oil is needed for cooking?
Use 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to sauté the onions and garlic.
Does this recipe contain sugar?
Yes, it includes 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar to help balance the flavor.
How much salt is added for seasoning?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt.
How can I make the salsa spicier?
You can add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper for extra heat if desired.
What spices are used for flavor besides salt and sugar?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of paprika for flavor and optional cayenne pepper for heat.
How do I start the cooking process?
Start by heating vegetable oil in a large pot and cooking the onions and garlic until they are soft and translucent.
How long should the salsa simmer?
The salsa should simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes or until it reaches your desired thickness.
What temperature should I use to boil the mixture?
Bring the mixture to a boil first, then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil.
How long can I store this salsa in the refrigerator?
The salsa can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to one week.
What is the best way to freeze the salsa?
Divide the cooled salsa into freezer bags and press them flat before freezing for easy storage.
Does the flavor of the salsa change over time?
Yes, the flavors will improve over time as the salsa is stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 10 servings.
What are the calories per serving?
There are 150 calories in each serving of the salsa.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 3g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 27g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein is in the salsa?
Each serving contains 3g of protein.
What is the fiber content of this recipe?
The salsa provides 3.5g of fiber per serving.
How much sugar is in each serving?
There is 4g of sugar per serving.
What are some ways to serve this salsa?
It is perfect as a dip, a topping, or as an ingredient in other favorite recipes.