Thursday, October 3, 2024

Salsa Ranchera! A Jalapeños and Cilantro Salsa!





When it comes to salsa some like it hot and some not!  This salsa is a happy medium.  This is a water bath canned salsa from The All New Ball Book of Canning and Preserving. This is an awesome book to add to your collection if you are looking for fresh innovative ways to add to your pantry.  After sharing the recipe, I will share a fun way to use this salsa.  The Huevos Rancheros meal is also from the book I mentioned.



Be sure to start with fresh homegrown paste tomatoes. You can use different varieties and colors.  Paste tomatoes are less juicy with fewer seeds so they make great sauces.  After roast and when you chop tomatoes place in a colander before adding to the salsa to allow some of the juices to drip off.

Recipe:

Make about 4 pint jars

3 lbs plum tomatoes

3/4 lb jalapeños

4 garlic cloves

1 medium white onion cut into 1/2 thick slices

2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/3 cup bottled lime juice

1.  Preheat oven to 425F Line a baking sheet with foil.  Slice tomatoes in half or quarters depending on the size.  Slice jalapeños in half lengthwise and seed. Add sliced onion to a tray also  Roast veggies at 425F for 20 minutes or until soft and beginning to char.

2.  Allow to cool



Roasting veggies enhances their flavor and brings out their sweetness.



3.  Remove skins from tomatoes, coarsely chop onion. Add to a stainless steel pot.

4.  Add 2 tsp salt

5.  Peel jalapeños and chop. You can dice and roast jalapeños which saves you from peeling them.

6.  Add jalapeños and minced garlic to pot

7.  Bring to a boil.  Simmer 2 minutes

8.  Ladle hot salsa into hot jar leaving 1/2 in headspace.  Remove air bubbles. wipe jar rim. Center lid on jar and add a ring adjusting to fingertip tight.  

9.  Place in boiling water canner.  Process for 20 minutes adjusting for altitude.  In New Harmony that meals adding 10 minutes to the processing time..  Begin timing when water begins to boil

10.  Turn off and remove canner lid.  Allow to rest for 10 minutes before removing the jars.

11.  Store without rings.





Need a new way to use this delicious salsa?  Try Huevo Rancheros

Huevos Rancheros

Corn tortillas

Olive oil

Eggs

Refried Beans

Toppings:  grated cheese, avocado slices, fresh cilantro

Cook tortillas in oil in a non stick pan until crisp

Fry 2 eggs per tortilla  

Spread refried beans on tortillas.  Top with eggs, salsa, and toppings of choice.










Wednesday, October 2, 2024

How to Make Pumpkin Puree



It's that time of year! With fall harvests, it is time to enjoy pumpkin desserts and treat.  Using your own pumpkin puree from pumpkins you harvested makes everything pumpkin even better.  Making pumpkin puree is simple but a little messy.



Jarrahdaleis a beautiful blue gray heirloom from New Zealand.  Wonderful used in winter squash recipes and pumpkin recipes.

Kogigu  a Japanese squash with deep ribs and a waxy brownish orange color.

Kogigu Squash

Pie or sugar pumpkins or winter squash  grown specifically for eating are sweeter, less stringy, and contain less water than a pumpkin grown for carving.  They are beautiful coming in many shapes, sizes, and colors.  They can be used to make puree or roasted using your favorite winter squash recipe.


Winter Luxury is a 1893 heirloom that makes smooth velvety puree.  One of the best!  Unique nettled skin 5-7 lb pumpkins.
Long Island Cheese Wheel

STEPS TO MAKING PUMPKIN PUREE

1. Select your pumpkin.  Use any that do not have stems or appear to be seeping first.

2.  Wash outer skin





3.  Cut in half and use a ice cream scoop to remove seeds.  Save seeds for roasting.



4.  Place face down in a cookie sheet with sides or a shallow pan.



5.  Add water to the bottom of the pan



6.  Roast at 350 for 45-60 minutes until it can be easily pierced with a fork.  The roasting time will depend on the size of the pumpkin.



7.  Allow it to cool slightly.  Scoop out pulp with an ice cream scooper. 



8.  You can puree pulp in a blender or use a stick blender.  You will probably have to add a little water.



9.  Store in pint canning jars or freezer bags in the freezer if you are not using it immediately.





Use in your favorite pumpkin recipes for desserts or soups.