Zesty Zucchini Salsa
Experience the vibrant flavors of summer with this Zesty Zucchini Salsa, a delightful blend of fresh vegetables and tangy spices! This recipe, passed down through a family connection, combines the freshness of zucchini, ripe tomatoes, and colorful peppers with a zesty kick. Perfect for canning, it adds a delicious twist to your meals year-round. For those who crave some heat, feel free to toss in a dozen finely chopped jalapeños for an extra spice! Though I prefer not to water bath the jars, it's crucial to ensure they are properly sterilized and sealed. If you choose to water bath for added safety, a 15-minute boil will suffice.
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Zucchini
10 cups (Peeled and shredded)
Onions
4 (Chopped)
Green peppers
2 (Chopped)
Red peppers
2 (Chopped)
Pickling salt
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon (For brining)
Dry mustard
2 tablespoons
Garlic powder
1 tablespoon
Cumin
1 tablespoon
White vinegar
2 cups
Brown sugar
1 cup
Red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons
Nutmeg
1 teaspoon
Black pepper
1 teaspoon
Ripe tomatoes
5 cups (Chopped)
Cornstarch
2 tablespoons
Tomato paste
12 ounces
Instructions
1
Day 1: In a large bowl, combine the peeled and shredded zucchini, chopped onions, green peppers, red peppers, and pickling salt. Mix well, cover, and let the mixture stand overnight at room temperature to draw out excess moisture.
2
Day 2: The next day, rinse and drain the vegetables well to remove excess salt and moisture. Transfer the mixture to a large pot and add the dry mustard, garlic powder, cumin, white vinegar, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, additional tablespoon of pickling salt, cornstarch, nutmeg, black pepper, chopped ripe tomatoes, and tomato paste.
3
Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat while stirring occasionally. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
4
Carefully pour the hot salsa into sterilized jars, leaving about a half-inch headspace at the top. Seal the jars with sterilized lids.
5
If the jars do not seal properly after cooling, process them in a water bath for 15 minutes to ensure safety.
Nutrition Information
2g
Fat
70g
Carbs
4g
Protein
8g
Fiber
20g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Zucchini Salsa?
Zesty Zucchini Salsa is a vibrant summer recipe that combines shredded zucchini, ripe tomatoes, peppers, and tangy spices, perfect for canning and year-round use.
How much zucchini is required for this recipe?
You will need 10 cups of peeled and shredded zucchini.
Why must the zucchini mixture sit overnight?
The mixture sits overnight with pickling salt to draw out excess moisture from the vegetables.
Can I make this salsa spicier?
Yes, for extra heat, you can add a dozen finely chopped jalapeños to the recipe.
How many onions are needed?
The recipe calls for 4 chopped onions.
What type of salt should be used?
The recipe specifically requires pickling salt for both the brining process and seasoning.
How long should I simmer the salsa?
Once the pot reaches a boil, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
What type of vinegar is used?
The recipe uses 2 cups of white vinegar.
Is a water bath necessary for the jars?
While the author prefers not to, they recommend a 15-minute water bath if the jars do not seal properly or for added safety.
How much tomato paste is included?
The recipe uses 12 ounces of tomato paste.
What spices provide the flavor in this salsa?
The flavor comes from a blend of dry mustard, garlic powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, nutmeg, and black pepper.
How many cups of tomatoes are used?
The recipe calls for 5 cups of chopped ripe tomatoes.
What is the purpose of cornstarch in the recipe?
Two tablespoons of cornstarch are used as a thickening agent for the salsa.
How much headspace should be left in the jars?
You should leave about a half-inch of headspace at the top of each sterilized jar.
What kind of sugar is used in the salsa?
The recipe uses 1 cup of brown sugar.
Are there red peppers in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 2 chopped red peppers and 2 chopped green peppers.
How many calories are in this salsa?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
The salsa contains 2g of fat per serving.
How much fiber is in the Zesty Zucchini Salsa?
There are 8g of fiber per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count?
There are 70g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does the salsa provide?
The salsa contains 4g of protein per serving.
How much sugar is in the final product?
There are 20g of sugar per serving.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 16 total ingredients listed for this salsa recipe.
What do I do on the second day of preparation?
On day two, you rinse and drain the salted vegetables, then transfer them to a pot with the remaining ingredients to boil and simmer.
Can I use regular table salt instead of pickling salt?
The recipe specifies pickling salt, which is preferred for canning to keep the liquid clear.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include zucchini salsa, canned salsa, vegetable salsa, homemade salsa, and summer recipes.
Is this recipe suitable for long-term storage?
Yes, this recipe is designed for canning, making it a great way to preserve summer vegetables for year-round use.
How much garlic powder is used?
The recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of garlic powder.
How much cumin is in the salsa?
The recipe includes 1 tablespoon of cumin.
Is the zucchini peeled or unpeeled?
The recipe instructions state the zucchini should be peeled and shredded.