pnw_395_salsarecipesforcanning

Salsa is one of the most popular condiments in homes today. Because of its popularity, consumers want to prepare and can salsas at home. Home canning of salsa is possible as long as it is prepared and processed according to a recipe tested for safety. Most salsa recipes are a mixture of low-acid foods, such as onions and peppers, with acid foods, such as tomatoes or fruit. Salsa recipes for canning with a boiling water canner must meet acidity-level requirements to prevent the growth of botulism bacteria. The salsa recipes in this publication have been tested under laboratory conditions to ensure that they contain enough acid to be processed safely in a boiling water canner. Ingredients Tomatoes Use only high-quality tomatoes for canning salsa or any other tomato product. Avoid tomatoes that are overripe or from dead or frost-killed vines. These will result in a poor-quality and potentially unsafe product. Canning is never a good way to use overripe or spoiling tomatoes. The type of tomato you use affects the quality of your salsa. For example, paste tomatoes, such as Roma, have firmer flesh and produce thicker salsas than large slicing tomatoes. Although both types make good-tasting salsas, slicing tomatoes usually yield a thinner, more watery salsa than paste tomatoes.

Where recipes call for peeled or skinned tomatoes, remove the skin by dipping tomatoes into boiling water for 30–60 seconds or until skins split. Immerse in cold water until cool enough to handle. Slip off skins and remove cores. Remove seeds if desired. Tomatillos Tomatillos are also known as Mexican husk tomatoes. They do not need to be peeled or seeded, but the dry outer husk must be removed. Fruits Some salsa recipes in this publication contain fruit. Fruits add another dimension of flavor to traditional salsas. When canning fruit salsas you must follow the same safety rules as tomato-based salsas. This includes using a research-tested recipe, selecting fruits in the quantity and condition described, and preparing fruits according to the directions.