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.
So for the past two months, I have been canning tomatoes and homemade spaghetti sauce. Next week I’ll share my spaghetti sauce recipe because it’s really good, if I do say so myself.
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!
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 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!
Disclaimer: I have not been paid to endorse this product. I’m just passing along a tasty discovery.
Note: You can order this product online here.
I’m joining:
rose says
July 30, 2012 at 5:15 pmi love the salsa that you made
Keeping it Cozy says
July 28, 2012 at 2:33 pmI 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 says
July 28, 2012 at 8:34 amI’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 says
July 28, 2012 at 5:27 amJane~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!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
July 26, 2012 at 11:49 pmJane…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 says
July 26, 2012 at 5:59 pmThanks 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 says
July 26, 2012 at 11:54 amJust 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 says
July 26, 2012 at 3:07 pmSo glad that you like it Melanie, and I’m sure your friend will too.
Kris says
July 26, 2012 at 11:41 amIf this is low in sodium I will try it. I love salsa with chips or as a side dish with dinner. Yum!
jane says
July 26, 2012 at 3:05 pmSalt 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 says
July 26, 2012 at 11:37 amSimply … yum!
Hugs,
Bj
jane says
July 26, 2012 at 3:03 pmWe couldn’t believe how good it was, BJ! We’ve been eating it for about a week now.
Barbara F. says
July 26, 2012 at 11:07 amI have never made homemade salsa, I will have to try it. xo
jane says
July 26, 2012 at 3:02 pmIt’s worth the extra effort, Barbara.
Dolly Sarrio says
July 26, 2012 at 9:32 amJane, 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 says
July 26, 2012 at 3:01 pmDolly, you are so sweet and too kind!
Pat@BPM says
July 25, 2012 at 5:42 pmI have been having fresh salsa from HyVee all week. Was just simply craving it! Your salsa looks fabulous, Jane.
jane says
July 25, 2012 at 6:11 pmThanks so much Pat! I would never try making it strictly homemade now that I’ve found this mix.
Melanie says
July 25, 2012 at 5:40 pmJane, I’d love to try it. In which stores can it be found, and in which section of the store?
jane says
July 25, 2012 at 6:10 pmLook 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 says
July 25, 2012 at 5:37 pmYes, 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 says
July 25, 2012 at 6:09 pmMelanie, 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 says
July 25, 2012 at 4:42 pmI have had salsa made with this package and it is good. You are indeed blessed with tomatoes.
jane says
July 25, 2012 at 6:07 pmOlive, I’m sure that I will think that this winter, but right now, I’m wondering why we planted so many!
katy says
July 26, 2012 at 11:32 amI 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 says
July 26, 2012 at 3:00 pmKaty, we give a lot of tomatoes away to friends, family, and local folks, but you have made an excellent suggestion.