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Food Preservation: Let’s Preserve Salsa II (FN1584, Reviewed June 2019)

Salsa continues to grow in popularity. While most people think of salsa as a spicy tomato-based sauce, it also can be made from various fruits.

Julie Garden-Robinson, Ph.D., R.D., L.R.D., Food and Nutrition Specialist

Availability: Web only


How about some mango or cranberry salsa?

Be sure to use research-tested canning recipes such as the ones included in this publication, and follow the formulations exactly. Then you will have a safe, high-quality product to enjoy.

For more salsa recipes, see these NDSU Extension publications:

Chili Salsa

Yield: 6 to 8 pints

  • 10 c. peeled, cored, chopped tomatoes
  • 6 c. seeded, chopped chili peppers*
  • 4 c. chopped onions
  • 1 c. vinegar (5 percent acidity)**
  • 3 tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. black pepper

*A mixture of mild and hot peppers is recommended.

**You can substitute bottled lemon juice for the vinegar.

1. Prepare the peppers. Wear plastic or rubber gloves and do not touch your face while handling or cutting hot peppers. If you do not wear gloves, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your face or eyes.

The peppers do not need to be peeled, but many prefer to peel certain types. The skin of long green chilies may be tough and can be removed by heating the peppers. Usually when peppers are finely chopped, they do not need to be peeled. If you choose to peel chilies, slit each pepper along the side to allow steam to escape. Peel using one of these two methods:

  • Oven or broiler method to blister skins: Place chilies in a hot oven (400 F) or broiler for six to eight minutes until skins blister.
  • Range-top method to blister skins: Cover hot burner (either gas or electric) with heavy wire mesh. Place peppers on burner for several minutes until skins blister.

To peel after blistering skins, place peppers in a pan and cover with a damp cloth. (This will make peeling the peppers easier.) Cool several minutes; slip off skins. Discard seeds and chop.

2. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and heat, stirring frequently, until mixture boils. 3. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Ladle hot mixture into clean, hot pint jars, leaving ½-inch head space.

5. Remove air bubbles and adjust head space if needed.

6. Wipe rims of jars with a dampened, clean paper towel; apply two-piece metal canning lids.

7. Process in a boiling water-bath canner for 20 minutes (or 25 minutes at altitudes above 6,000 feet).

8. Let cool, undisturbed, 12 to 24 hours and check for seals.

9. Remove ring band and store upright. For best quality, consume within one year.

Source: Salsa Recipes for Canning, PHW0392, by Val Hillers and Richard Dougherty, Washington State University, as adapted by the National Center for Home Food Preservation, University of Georgia, Athens

Here’s a tasty way to enjoy your salsa. This recipe is NOT recommended for canning. Store it in your refrigerator for up to a week.

Corn and Bean Salsa

Fresh Corn and Black Bean Salsa

Yield: Makes six servings.

  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1½ c. frozen corn
  • 2 c. salsa

Mix ingredients and refrigerate. Serve as a dip with tortilla chips.

Each serving has 110 calories, 0.5 grams (g) of fat, 21 g of carbohydrate, 6 g of protein and 470 milligrams of sodium.

Mango Salsa

Yield: Makes six half-pint jars

  • 6 c. diced unripe mango (about three to four large, hard, green mangos*)
  • 1½ c. diced red bell pepper
  • ½ c. yellow onion, finally chopped
  • ½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 tsp. finely chopped garlic
  • 2 tsp. finely chopped ginger root
  • 1 c. light brown sugar
  • 1¼ c. cider vinegar (5 percent)
  • ½ c. water

*Caution: Handling green mangoes may irritate some people’s skin in the same way poison ivy does. (They belong to the same plant family.) To avoid this reaction, wear plastic or rubber gloves while working with raw green mangoes. Do not touch your face, lips or eyes after touching or cutting raw green mangoes until all traces are washed away.

1. Wash and rinse half-pint canning jars; keep hot until ready to use. Prepare lids according to manufacturer’s directions.

2. Wash all produce well. Peel and chop into ½-inch cubes. Dice bell pepper into ½-inch pieces. Finely chop yellow onions.

3. Combine all ingredients in an 8-quart Dutch oven or stockpot. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce to simmering, and simmer five minutes.

4. Fill hot solids into clean, hot half-pint jars, leaving ½-inch head space. Cover with hot liquid, leaving ½-inch head space. Remove air bubbles and adjust head space if needed. Wipe rims of jars with a dampened, clean paper towel; apply two-piece metal canning lids.

5. Process in a boiling-water canner according to the following recommendations: 10 minutes at 0 to 1,000 feet altitude; 15 minutes at 1,001 to 6,000 feet altitude; 20 minutes at above 6,000 feet altitude.

6. Let cool, undisturbed, for 12 to 24 hours and check for seals.

7. Remove ring band and store upright. For best quality, consume within one year.

Source: University of Georgia, Athens for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (www.uga.edu/nchfp/) Released by Elizabeth Andress, Ph.D.

Spicy Cranberry Salsa

Yield: Makes six pint jars.

  • 6 c. chopped red onion
  • 4 large Serrano peppers, finely chopped*
  • 1½ c. water
  • 1½ c. cider vinegar (5 percent acidity)
  • 1 Tbsp. canning salt
  • 1⅓ c. sugar
  • ¾ c. bottled lemon juice
  • 6 Tbsp. clover honey
  • 12 c. (2¾ pounds) fresh whole cranberries, rinsed

*Caution: Wear plastic or rubber gloves when handling and cutting hot peppers or wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your face or eyes.

1. Wash and rinse six 1-pint canning jars; keep hot until ready to use. Prepare lids according to manufacturer’s directions.

2. Combine all ingredients except cranberries in a large Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat slightly and boil gently for five minutes.

3. Add cranberries, reduce heat slightly and simmer mixture for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching.

4. Fill the hot mixture into clean, hot pint jars, leaving ¼-inch head space. Leave saucepot over low heat while filing jars. Remove air bubbles and adjust head space if needed. Wipe rims of jars with a dampened clean paper towel; apply two-piece metal canning lids.

5. Process in a boiling-water canner according to the following recommendations: 10 minutes at 0 to 1,000 feet altitude; 15 minutes at 1,001 to 6,000 feet altitude; or 20 minutes at above 6,000 feet altitude.

6. Let cool, undisturbed, 12 to 24 hours and check for seals.

7. Remove ring band and store upright. For best quality, consume within one year.

Source: University of Georgia, Athens for Home Food Preservation. National Center for Home Food Preservation (www.uga.edu/nchfp/) Released by Elizabeth Andress, Ph.D.

For more information about growing, preserving and preparing fruits and vegetables, visit the NDSU Extension website.

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