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Garden Salsa- $0.28 per 16 oz Jar

 

My Salsa Making journey began with a bumper crop year.    That is right, I had

an overabundance of Tomatoes and Jalapeno Peppers and didn’t know what to

do with them.  My family enjoys salsa and we always have salsa and chips on

hand.    So, Salsa making was the answer.    However, I was surprised that my

family devoured it quickly and wanted more- MUCH More.  Now we try to make

as much salsa as possible to sustain us throughout the year.   


No Garden- No Worries. You can make this either from canned tomatoes/Rotel

or fresh ones. Just adjust the recipe to fit the product your using. This method will just cost a little more, but the taste and flavor is well worth the effort.

 

Ingredients

2 lbs Tomatoes

2 Jalapeno Peppers 

1 Medium Onions

½ Bunch of Cilantro

2 teaspoon Salt 

1 Pepper

1 Garlic Powder 


Directions: 


Dice and Cook the tomatoes in a slow cooker for 5-6 hours on low.  

 


Process the cooked tomatoes through a Food Mill. 


   


Chop Onions, Jalapeno Peppers and Cilantro. 

  


Then add to the processed tomatoes. 



Finally add the spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder) and taste for spice

adjustment.  

 

Can Salsa following the IOWA State University Extension and Outreach (https://www.extension.iastate.edu/benton/sites/www.extension.iastate.edu/files/benton/HS21%20Canning%20Salsa.pdf ) or stored in the refrigerator. 



~ Savings ~

Cost Breakdown:


Regular Shopping 

2 lbs Tomatoes: $2.00

2 Jalapeno Peppers: 0.50

1 Medium Onions: $0.30

½ Bunch of Cilantro: $0.50

2 teaspoon Salt 

1 Pepper

1 Garlic Powder

** Estimate on the spices: $0.03


Total Recipe Cost: $3.33

Cost per Pint Jar (16 oz): $ 1.11


NOTE: I use the tomatoes and Jalapenos I grow from the garden so my cost for

these items is FREE.    Thus lower my cost to $0.83 or just $0.28 for 16 oz. 


The contender (Kroger Salsa- 16 oz): $1.39


Savings: 

W/O Garden: 20%

W/ Garden: 80%


“Over the Year” Scenario 


Homemade Salsa: 12 X $1.11= $13.32

Homemade Salsa w/ Garden: 12 x $0.28 = $3.36

Kroger Salsa: 12 x $1.39 = $16.68


Money Savings: 

W/O Garden: $3.36

W/ Garden: 13.32


What is your favorite thing to preserve?


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