It’s National Tortilla Chip Day! Who knew there was such a thing? Well there is, and what better way to enjoy the crunchy tortilla chip than with a bowl of homemade salsa?
Crunchy tortilla “chips” originated in Mexico in the form of tostados. But the famous triangle-shaped tortilla chip is credited to, or at least was popularized by, Rebecca Webb Carranza several decades ago in Los Angeles. She and her husband owned a tortilla factory and their automated machines would discard any misshapen tortilla shells. Rather than throw them away, Rebecca discovered that cutting these corn tortilla shells into triangles an then frying them made a fantastic snack. Tortilla chips began to be mass produced in the 1940’s and their popularity spread outside of California and across the U.S. in the 1970’s. Years later she received the Golden Tortilla Award for her contribution to the Mexican food industry.
Here is a tasty homemade salsa to accompany your crispy tortilla chips. Many salsa recipes call for canned tomatoes and chilies (i.e., already cooked). I find that using fresh ingredients, and then cooking the salsa briefly, yields the best flavor. It sweetens the tomatoes and brings out their flavor. (Note, canned tomatoes have also been semi-cooked) The other purpose cooking it serves is to bring the mixture up to the required temperature for canning.
This recipe is ideal for canning so you can always have some salsa on hand for dipping and for any Mexican recipes calling for salsa.
Let’s get started!
There always a debate as to which kinds of tomatoes are the best for making salsa. The answer is simply this: The best tomatoes are ripe tomatoes. Whichever ones you can find that have the most flavor. If they happen to have a higher water content, that’s fine. We’ll drain them.
The best way to peel tomatoes is to get a large pot of water boiling and then place the tomatoes in the boiling water for 30 seconds. (Some suggest placing them in ice water next, but that isn’t necessary for this recipe) When you remove the tomatoes from the boiling water their skins will start to split (you may need to assist them by piercing them with the tip of a knife) and they can then be easily peeled.
Squeeze the seeds out of each tomato along with any excess liquid and place the tomatoes in a colander to drain.
Finely chop the tomatoes. I prefer to do it by hand, but you can also use a food processor.
Place the chopped tomatoes in a large stock pot.
Chop the onions and mince the garlic.
Chop the jalapeno peppers. If you like your salsa hot, leave the white pith/membranes. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not the seeds that are hot, it’s the white pith that surrounds them. It’s always recommended that you use gloves while handling chili peppers.
Wash and chop the cilantro.
You’ll want about a cup of chopped jalapenos.
Add the vinegar to the tomatoes.
Add all remaining ingredients.
Stir to combine the ingredients, bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes.
Follow standard canning instructions to sterilize the jars and lids. Ladle the hot salsa into the hot jars, leaving about 1/4 inch head space. Close the lids and place the jars in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes. Remove the jars and let them rest, undisturbed, for 24 hours before moving them.
- 8 pounds ripe tomatoes (about 13 cups chopped)
- 5 large jalapeno peppers, seeds removed, chopped (leave white pith/membranes if you like your salsa hot)
- 3 cups chopped yellow onions
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 4 large cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Carefully drop the tomatoes in the boiling water for 30 seconds them remove. Peel the skins and squeeze the tomatoes to remove the seeds along with excess liquid Place the tomatoes in a colander to drain. Chop the tomatoes.
- Place the tomatoes in a large stock pot along with the vinegar. Add all remaining ingredients. Stir to combine, bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
- While the salsa is simmering, follow standard canning procedure to sterilize the jars and lids.
- Use a ladle to fill the hot jars with the hot salsa, leaving ¼ inch head space. Close the lids and place the jars in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes. Make sure the jars are fully submerged under water with several inches of water above them. Remove the jars and let them rest undisturbed for 24 hours before moving them.
- Store in a cool, dark place. For optimal flavor, use within 6 months but the salsa will keep up to a year.
Marlene says
Kimberly, I went back to the store and bought the cilantro. I was afraid the dried herbs would change the pH. Will make another batch with the parsley as I have a granddaughter that says cilantro tastes like “soap”. The salsa is very good with no excess liquid. I used a technique that I use to remove liquid when making Indian paneer. Just put a colander over a bowl and use a plate with a medium weight object on top of it over the tomatoes. Wait a bit and the juices will flow, albeit slowly. You could also put a small plate over the tomatoes in the colander and just press down on the tomatoes, stir and repeat several times. It works quite well and the tomatoes retain their shape. Thanks for the delicious recipe.
Kimberly Killebrew says
Thanks so much for the feedback and tip, Marlene, I’m happy you enjoyed the salsa!
Marlene says
Kimberly, I am anxious to try this salsa recipe. Unfortunately, I bought fresh parsley instead of fresh cilantro (didn’t look closely at the leaves, just grabbed.) Could I substitute dried cilantro leaves instead? I know that normally dried herbs are more often tested in recipes and that the fresh herbs will change the pH so I am a little concerned about substituting dried herbs for fresh ones in a tested recipe such as yours is. Or could I just leave the cilantro out completely and add when serving? Thank you for your response
Kimberly Killebrew says
Hi Marlene, there’s no problem adding dried cilantro. From a flavor standpoint though I’d go with your latter idea of adding it before serving. Happy cooking!
Melanie says
Can I cut this recipe in half?
Kimberly Killebrew says
Yes you can, Melanie!
Jeani keel says
Is it necessary to add the sugar? Also, can you substitute bottled lemon or lime juice for the vinegar? I enjoy your bread and butter pickles and your Giardiniera! I trust your recipes!
Kimberly Killebrew says
Thank you so much for the compliment, Jeani, I really appreciate that! :) Yes you can use bottled lemon or lime juice instead. The sugar isn’t necessary but I recommend it for helping balance out the flavors. Even “vine ripened” tomatoes at the grocery store aren’t anywhere near as sweet as homegrown or the really good stuff from Italy :) Thanks again and happy cooking!