In spite of space limitations, growing a garden has become a fun part of my spring and summer. I live in a north Florida subdivision where houses are built on lots, not acres, and outdoor space is used for landscaping with little room for vegetable gardens. After a little research about container gardening, I’ve grown different types of tomatoes and peppers in pots and grow bags and it’s been quite successful.
I bought Big Boy and Early Girl tomato plants. For the pepper plants, I chose different color bell peppers and sweet banana peppers.
I wanted to make salsa this year too, so I started a little herb garden container for Cilantro.
As soon I had enough tomatoes and peppers, I tried making salsa. I found a simple recipe and made a batch, but it tasted too much like raw tomatoes. My husband agreed. Maybe “fresh” salsa just wasn’t for us.
I looked for other recipes and decided there were certain tastes that I wanted. I like a sweet taste with peaches or mango and even pineapple. I also like it a little spicy. Garlic sounded good and I prefer using lime juice instead of vinegar.
It had to have Cilantro in it and I planned to throw in both kinds of tomatoes and the Bell and Banana peppers I had harvested. Oh, and sweet onion, of course! And if I had any plans for the kids to eat it, it better not have chunks!
The good news is I ended up with a recipe that my husband and children declared to be the “BEST Salsa Recipe Ever.”
Give it a try!
6 cups peeled fresh tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
4 medium sized bell peppers
4 banana peppers
2 med onions
juice from two limes
Salt to taste
½ to 1 cup of fresh cilantro
1 or 2 hot peppers to taste
1 can Hunts tomato paste
1 15 oz can of peaches in natural juice
1 small can of pineapple pieces
Combine first 9 ingredients in a food processor and pulse until mostly smooth. Pour into pan and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes. Lower heat then add tomato paste. In food processor, combine peaches, pineapple pieces and a ¼ cup of the peach juice. Pulse until smooth. Add to pan, stir well, and continue cooking 10 more minutes. Taste test. Add more salt if needed. If a sweeter taste is desired, add more pineapple juice. Allow to cool before storing.
Enjoy!