Spicy Chunky Salsa

Name: Spicy Chunky Salsa
Prep time: 1 h 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Yield: 8 pints.
Cuisine: North America, Mexican
Ingredients: 6 pounds tomatoes; 3 large green peppers, chopped; 3 large onions, chopped; 2 cups white vinegar; 1 large sweet red pepper, chopped; 1 can (12 ounces) tomato paste; 4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped; 2 serrano peppers, seeded and chopped; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro; 1/2 cup bottled lemon juice; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 4 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 tablespoon salt; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 1-1/2 hours Process: 15 min. YIELD: 8 pints.

Vinegar adds a refreshing tang to this sweet tomato salsa. It's wonderful as is, but for more heat, leave in some hot pepper seeds. —Donna Goutermont, Sequim, Washington

Ingredients

6 pounds tomatoes
3 large green peppers, chopped
3 large onions, chopped
2 cups white vinegar
1 large sweet red pepper, chopped
1 can (12 ounces) tomato paste
4 jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
2 serrano peppers, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro
1/2 cup bottled lemon juice
3 garlic cloves, minced
4 teaspoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Directions

1. In a Dutch oven, bring 2 quarts water to a boil. Using a slotted spoon, place tomatoes, a few at a time, in boiling water for 30-60 seconds. Remove each tomato and immediately plunge into ice water. Drain and pat dry. Peel and finely chop tomatoes to measure 9 cups; place in a stockpot.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients. Add water to cover; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until slightly thickened, about 30 minutes.
3. Ladle hot mixture into hot 1-pint jars, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding or removing hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight.
4. Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 15 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

Nutrition Facts

1/4 cup: 25 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 117mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch.