making salsa

I was so excited to make salsa this past weekend, all by myself. The day stared out beautifully as I got to experience the Iowa City Farmers Market for the first time. It was amazing (not as big as Minneapolis', but still...). I was on a mission to get all ingredients for my salsa and left little time to see what all the market had to offer. I'll be going back up there yet this season I am sure, and will plan more time to enjoy the live music and other activities they have planned. Here is the bounty of produce I brought home...

fresh garlic - quite possibly my favorite food.

basil, lots and lots of basil. I couldn't walk by the booth without purchasing four huge bags if it. Guess I am making pesto too!

and of course six boxes of tomatoes

Let the salsa making begin! And that's when all the fun ran out...drained from my veins to be replaced by "Kier's cooking - better get out of her way" energy. Oh, I was a joy to be around, just ask Nic. lol

Peeled tomatoes ready to be cored and crushed. This part was not bad actually, just took a lot of time. That's the one thing I forget about when cooking, sometimes there is prep work to be done before you can really start cooking.

The most fake smile I have ever plastered across my face.

At this point, all the veggies were ready to be thrown in one gigantic pot. The aroma was delicious, but it took HOURS to simmer the salsa down so it wouldn't be a watery mess. That's what happens when you don't buy Roma tomatoes and use a recipe that calls for them. I would have just added tomato paste but A) we didn't have any and B) I just read how important it is to follow a recipe to the T when canning salsa - otherwise you will kill your entire family by poisoning them with botulism...

So I waited and waited, while Nic cleaned and cleaned. I was a witch and Nic was a prince trying to make my salsa making experience fun. Didn't work. But kudos to him for trying. If I were him I would have packed my bags and left for the night.

When the salsa was good enough for me...I had to actually can the stuff. After about a thousand phone calls to Mom, and with Nic's help, we finished. We ended up with about 16 jars of what I am calling "5 Pepper Salsa". I sure hope it tastes good! lol We have tried some and it is actually quite tasty.

Next time (if there ever is a next time) I am just going to drag my butt up to Minnesota and make salsa with Mom...if she'll let me.