Apple Palozza is still going strong ~ Apple Salsa

I really thought I was kicking apple butt, however, I think now it is starting to kick mine.  I am on a timeline to work them as quick as I can so they do not good bad.  That would just kill my frugal heart.  Heck, that is part of the reason I can because I hate for things to go to waste.  

I thought the red delicious were all used but I was WRONG.  I found more.  I have them dehydrating now.  I will have one more batch after this one.  

It is crazy when you are gifted with so much free bounty that you just have no clue for a minute what to do.  I think the word I am looking for is OVERWHELMING.  I have to admit at times this week I have been very overwhelmed but I realize how blessed we are.  

Since I had so many apples and 3 different types my thoughts were to try new recipes.  Recipes I might not have ever made due to the cost of apples.  Imagine me rubbing my hands together in glee over the prospect of being able to play around a bit.

I love salsa.  I think I have 6 different kinds downstairs now sitting on one of my canning shelves.  Which made me think.... APPLE SALSA why not, right?  I mean something has to happen with all those apples.  

I looked at several recipes and came up with one of my own.  I made sure I had the correct amount of vinegar to make it safe.  Acidity in water bath canning is extremely important.  

I chose to use Roma tomatoes since they were on sale at a local grocery store.  Which does go against the grain for me because I am not a fan of store-bought tomatoes but Roma seems to have more flavor than other tomatoes.  I chopped 5 cups of Roma tomatoes.

Chop 3 cups of apples.  I used a few golden delicious because I had peeled too many earlier when I re-made the apple relish, otherwise, I used granny smith.  I also put a bit of lime juice on my apples to help them from turning dark and also lime juice is a good acidity to add to salsa.

I chopped a quarter of a red bell pepper and a half of an orange bell pepper. The red had been in the fridge since Friday and needed to be used.

I opted for a red onion but originally I had planned on using a yellow onion.  I switched to the red onion because when I went to get a yellow one the red ones were going bad.  I can NOT have that.  Chop one large red onion.

I wanted to add some heat so I chopped up 5 jalapenos and left the seeds in them.  I also chopped 3 cloves of garlic with the jalapenos.

To make it a safe recipe I added a full cup of white vinegar.

At this point, I added one 3 ounce jar of tomato paste.  Yep, it is store bought because I am out of homemade.  I did have a jar of home canned tomato sauce which I added as well.

I sprinkled some ground cumin on top of everything.  

Apple Salsa

Ingredients

• 5 Cups peeled and chopped tomatoes
• 3 Cups peeled and chopped apples
• lime juice sprinkled on apples
• 1 large red or yellow onion
• 1 large red, orange or yellow bell pepper chopped
• 3 minced cloves of garlic
• 1 Cup of white vinegar
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 - 3 oz tomato paste
• 1 - 16 oz tomato sauce

Directions

• Chop, tomatoes, apples, red onion, bell pepper, jalapenos, and garlic.
• Add some lime juice to the apples so they do not darken.  
• Put the tomatoes, apples, onions, bell pepper, jalapenos and garlic in a 6-quart pot.
• Add all other ingredients to the 6-quart pot.
• Bring to boil and then simmer until desired texture and consistency.
• Ladle into sterilized jars,  Put on lids and rims.
• Water bath can for 15 minutes.
• Once time is up take off heat and allow to sit for additional 10 minutes.

This recipe made 5 and half pints.

When making salsa a lot of people will add either sugar or honey.  I do not do this.  I like the tomato flavor and especially when using Roma tomatoes, they are sweet tasting to me.  I just do not like sweet salsa.  Now, that might sound funny because I just made apple salsa but this is by no means a sweet salsa.  I am sure if you wish you could increase the apples to make it sweeter.  

If you make this recipe please post a picture and tell me if you made any changes.  

Enjoy!!