Zesty Green Tomato Salsa Verde
Elevate your culinary creations with this vibrant and flavorful Zesty Green Tomato Salsa Verde, perfect for dipping, topping, or as an ingredient in your favorite dishes. This salsa harnesses the tangy brightness of green tomatoes, complemented by the kick of fresh chilies and aromatic herbs. Ideal for canning, this recipe yields a generous amount, making it great for sharing with friends and family at gatherings or stocking up for the winter months. Enjoy the burst of flavor that this homemade salsa brings to your meals!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Garlic cloves
10 (peeled)
Green chilies
6-10 (seeded and chopped)
Vidalia onion
12 ounces (chopped)
Limes
2 (zested and segmented)
Green tomatoes
6 lbs (blemishes and stems removed, pureed (about 12 cups pureed))
Dried oregano
1 tablespoon (none)
Ground cumin
2 teaspoons (none)
Dried chipotle powder or smoked paprika
1 teaspoon (none)
Fresh cilantro
1 cup (chopped)
Salt
1 teaspoon (none)
Fresh cracked pepper
1 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing your boiling water canner. Ensure your canning jars and lids are sanitized by heating them in simmering water or a dishwasher. Keep the metal bands submerged in hot water until you’re ready to use them.
2
In a food processor, pulse together the garlic cloves, green chilies, minced onion, lime zest, and lime segments until the mixture is chunky but well combined. Transfer this mixture to a large saucepan.
3
Next, pulse the green tomatoes in the same food processor until they are chunky-smooth, then add them to the onion and chili mixture in the saucepan.
4
Bring the combined mixture to a rolling boil. Stir in the dried oregano, ground cumin, chipotle powder (or smoked paprika), fresh cilantro, salt, and black pepper. Reduce the heat and let the salsa simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
5
Carefully ladle the hot salsa into your prepared jars, leaving approximately 1/2 inch of headspace at the top. Remove any air bubbles with a non-metal spatula, and wipe the rim of each jar with a clean cloth to ensure a tight seal.
6
Place the hot lid on each jar, then secure the metal band until it is fingertip tight. Avoid over-tightening to allow air to escape during processing.
7
Process the jars in your boiling water canner for 20 minutes, adjusting the processing time according to your altitude. Once done, carefully remove the jars and allow them to cool on a clean, dry towel or cooling rack.
8
After 24 hours, check the seals on your jars. The lid should not flex up and down when pressed in the center, indicating a proper seal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Green Tomato Salsa Verde?
It is a vibrant and flavorful salsa made from tangy green tomatoes, fresh chilies, and aromatic herbs, ideal for dipping, topping, or canning.
What are the primary ingredients needed for this salsa?
The main ingredients include 6 lbs of green tomatoes, 10 garlic cloves, 6-10 green chilies, Vidalia onion, limes, cilantro, and various spices.
How many green tomatoes are required?
The recipe calls for 6 lbs of green tomatoes, which yields about 12 cups of pureed tomatoes once blemishes and stems are removed.
How should the green chilies be prepared?
You should use between 6 to 10 green chilies that have been seeded and chopped before processing.
What type of onion is used in this recipe?
The recipe specifies 12 ounces of chopped Vidalia onion for its mild and sweet flavor.
How do I prepare the limes for the salsa?
You need 2 limes that should be both zested and segmented before being pulsed with the other aromatics.
Is a food processor necessary for this recipe?
Yes, a food processor is used to pulse the garlic, chilies, onion, lime, and tomatoes to achieve a chunky-smooth consistency.
How long should the salsa simmer?
After bringing the mixture to a rolling boil and adding the herbs and spices, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
What spices are included in the Zesty Green Tomato Salsa Verde?
The recipe includes dried oregano, ground cumin, chipotle powder (or smoked paprika), salt, and fresh cracked pepper.
Can I substitute the chipotle powder?
Yes, the recipe allows for the substitution of smoked paprika if you do not have chipotle powder.
Is this salsa recipe vegan?
Yes, based on the ingredient list, this Zesty Green Tomato Salsa Verde is a vegan recipe.
How much cilantro is used?
The recipe requires 1 cup of chopped fresh cilantro to be stirred in during the boiling process.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
You will need 10 peeled garlic cloves for this recipe.
What is the recommended headspace for canning the jars?
You should leave approximately 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of each jar when filling them with hot salsa.
How do I ensure a good seal on the canning jars?
Wipe the rim of each jar with a clean cloth to ensure it is free of residue before placing the hot lid and securing the metal band.
How long do I process the jars in the boiling water canner?
The jars should be processed for 20 minutes, adjusting for your specific altitude.
How tight should the metal bands be on the jars?
The metal bands should be secured until they are fingertip tight; avoid over-tightening to allow air to escape.
How long should the jars cool after processing?
The jars should cool on a clean, dry towel or cooling rack for 24 hours before checking the seals.
How do I check if the jars sealed properly?
Press the center of the lid; if it does not flex up and down, the jar has a proper seal.
What should I do before putting the salsa into the jars?
Prepare your boiling water canner and ensure that all jars and lids are sanitized in simmering water or a dishwasher.
Should I remove air bubbles from the jars?
Yes, use a non-metal spatula to remove any air bubbles from the salsa before sealing the jars.
Can I use this salsa immediately or must it be canned?
While the recipe is optimized for canning, you can enjoy it fresh as a dip or topping after it has cooled.
What texture should the tomato puree be?
The tomatoes should be pulsed until they are chunky-smooth.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of salt.
Is the salsa spicy?
With 6-10 green chilies and chipotle powder, this salsa has a zesty kick, though heat levels can vary based on the chilies used.
What is the preparation for the garlic cloves?
The 10 garlic cloves should be peeled before being added to the food processor.
Do I need to cook the salsa before canning?
Yes, the mixture must be brought to a rolling boil and simmered for 5 minutes before being ladled into jars.
Can I use fresh oregano instead of dried?
The recipe specifically lists 1 tablespoon of dried oregano; if using fresh, you generally need to increase the amount.
What should I do with the lime segments?
The lime segments should be pulsed in the food processor along with the garlic, chilies, onion, and lime zest.
What are some uses for this Salsa Verde?
It is perfect for dipping chips, topping tacos or enchiladas, or as a flavorful ingredient in various Mexican-inspired dishes.