So for the past two months, I have been canning tomatoes and homemade spaghetti sauce. But right now, lets talk about MY quick homemade salsa recipe!
Maybe you guys don't know that Leo and I have over 80 tomato plants in our garden. And thanks to his irrigation system, they are still producing tomatoes despite the extreme heat and dry weather that we are having.
But in my search for additional ways to preserve these tomatoes, I've discovered something that's really good!
It's this packaged mix for making homemade salsa!
Look, I have tomato salsa for days! This sauce tastes amazing on nachos, chips, and tortillas.
I've used it to make 2 batches of homemade salsa, which is awesome tasting.
But what I've discovered, quite by accident, is that the left-over tomato juice from making the salsa is so delicious to eat as a soup. It is wonderful hot or cold, and tastes a lot like gazpacho without all the chopping of the vegetables.
When you look at the ingredients in the package mix, you will see dehydrated vegetables, which speeds up the salsa or gazpacho making process.
You can see them here in the salsa. ( I don't like to chop jalapeno peppers because I always get some in my eyes!)
The great thing about this packaged mix is that you don't have to can your salsa. You can eat it fresh, and you can even use canned tomatoes if you don't have access to fresh ones.
If you have a bumper crop of fresh garden tomatoes, another fantastic option is this freezer tomatillo and tomato salsa recipe with a nice smoky flavor.
If you want to try making this quick salsa, be sure to buy the mix in the red package. I've tried some others recently (when I couldn't find the red package) and they are not quite as good.
The bonus is that the soup that we've been making with this mix is very low-calorie, and Leo and I have lost a few pounds lately. You can even add some boiled shrimp, chopped avocado, and chopped onion and turn the soup into a Mexican Shrimp Cocktail, which we've done, by the way!
I'm on my way to the grocery store to buy more of this mix because Leo picked 2 more buckets of tomatoes this morning!
rose
i love the salsa that you made
Keeping it Cozy
I am so impressed! I can barely keep up with my 5 tomato plants! I was just looking at that salsa the other day and wondering about it... now I'll have to give it a try! I've been canning diced tomatoes but would like to can some salsa too!
Diane
I've never seen this product before but it sounds like a great kitchen helper! Do you ever can the salsa? And if so, what process would you use?
Mary
Jane~Thanks so much for the tip! We only have five tomato plants but a girl can only eat so many BLT's 🙂 Love the idea of adding the package for fresh salsa!
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Jane...you and Leo are so fortunate to be able to create a pantry full of great vegetables....great idea to make salsa from your tomatoes!!!....So pass me the chips!!!
Kelly
Thanks Jane for sharing this recipe. I just love salsa but prefer homemade. I eat it quite often since it is low-cal. Have a great week.
Melanie
Just made this and it is delicious! We do have a small garden but I decided not to use up all the fresh tomatoes and instead used half fresh and half canned tomatoes (3 cans). I am planning to keep some in the fridge, give some to a friend, and I am going to sort of follow your advice and add shrimp to make shrimp creole and serve that over rice. I found this at Kroger. I bought one medium and one hot but I think the medium is spicy enough.
jane
So glad that you like it Melanie, and I'm sure your friend will too.
Kris
If this is low in sodium I will try it. I love salsa with chips or as a side dish with dinner. Yum!
jane
Salt is listed as one of the ingredients, Kris. Sometimes the sodium bothers me too, especially in this heat. But it must not have too much. Perhaps that information can be found online.
Bj
Simply ... yum!
Hugs,
Bj
jane
We couldn't believe how good it was, BJ! We've been eating it for about a week now.
Barbara F.
I have never made homemade salsa, I will have to try it. xo
jane
It's worth the extra effort, Barbara.
Dolly Sarrio
Jane, I can't wait to try this I have seen it at Tractor Supply before. Red package have to keep that in mind. I so enjoy your recipes and gardening tips...and Folks I have seen their yard and gardens they are a showplace!
jane
Dolly, you are so sweet and too kind!
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I have been having fresh salsa from HyVee all week. Was just simply craving it! Your salsa looks fabulous, Jane.
jane
Thanks so much Pat! I would never try making it strictly homemade now that I've found this mix.
Melanie
Jane, I'd love to try it. In which stores can it be found, and in which section of the store?
jane
Look in the section of the store where canning jars are sold. The packages are usually beside them. I found the salsa mix at Piggly Wiggly.
Melanie
Yes, that is good salsa! Yours is so pretty too! have you tried the ketchup or the pizza sauce in that line? both are very good, in fact you will be ruined when you taste it, the store bought stuff will never taste as good!
jane
Melanie, I have only tried some of the pickle making packages by Mrs. Wages and I just discovered the many other products when I went to their site online. The stores around here don't carry many of the products.
Olive Cooper
I have had salsa made with this package and it is good. You are indeed blessed with tomatoes.
jane
Olive, I'm sure that I will think that this winter, but right now, I'm wondering why we planted so many!
katy
I just wonder if you have ever thought of getting some help and canning some of your largess for a food pantry or for folks in need. All those fresh vegetables would make a great nourishing soup base.
jane
Katy, we give a lot of tomatoes away to friends, family, and local folks, but you have made an excellent suggestion.