Comments on: Frugal Recipes: The Best Salsa Ever http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/ personal finance that makes cents Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:38:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Maureen http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-186027 Maureen Sun, 05 Jul 2009 22:14:24 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-186027 You should post a picture. Do you have any cooked salsa recipes or do you always do fresh? You should post a picture. Do you have any cooked salsa recipes or do you always do fresh?

]]> By: Liz http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-148893 Liz Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:13:00 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-148893 I find that this is closer to pico de gallo (which is also great) than salsa. Laura: I agree. Thanks for the tip on the sugar/jalapeno. I will try that. I find that this is closer to pico de gallo (which is also great) than salsa.

Laura: I agree. Thanks for the tip on the sugar/jalapeno. I will try that.

]]> By: How to Make Your Own Canned Salsa ? Get Rich Slowly http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-148767 How to Make Your Own Canned Salsa ? Get Rich Slowly Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:00:53 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-148767 [...] Frugal Recipes: The Best Salsa EverFrugality in Practice: Canning SeasonSave on Groceries with ‘Strike-Point Shopping’My Blogathon Command PostFrugality in Practice: Planting Time [...] [...] Frugal Recipes: The Best Salsa EverFrugality in Practice: Canning SeasonSave on Groceries with ‘Strike-Point Shopping’My Blogathon Command PostFrugality in Practice: Planting Time [...]

]]> By: AsgardAcres http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-111981 AsgardAcres Sun, 13 Jan 2008 01:20:17 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-111981 Tomato seeds are not easy to "keep," as the tomatoes used must be fermented before the seeds are kept and washed. Then dried and packaged in a way that will guarentee their vialibity for the next year. Most seeds have such a short shelf life that this would mean doing this complicated, time consuming process every year. We have an organic farm and buy hybrid seeds for most everything. The disease resistance is an important factor, as well as the time. Yields are greatly improved with many hybrids, as are flavors (there is no such thing as a supersweet heirloom corn, these varieties are careful crosses designed to create sugar without allowing conversion to starch). Seeds leftover from last year are cheap, until you have a wilt take out an entire crop. And a lot of seeds have some big cross pollination issues. Grow sweet corn within a few miles of a field corn stand, or any other sweet corn, and the hybrid that is created will be tough and starchy, instead of tender and sweet. Tomatoes aren't as bad on this one, but it's a risk. You can get a big savings on seeds by buying in bulk. You would get way more seeds than one family could reasonably use in a year, but the smaller "bulk" seed amounts would be great for a neighborhood. A group of neighbors could go into a veggie project together -- this one growing a lot of tomatoes, that one growin peppers, another working on corn, etc. It's easier to keep on top of things if you only have one type of veggie to work with, then everyone shares the bounty. Cheap and cheerful, building community, and having a good shot at getting great food. Tomato seeds are not easy to “keep,” as the tomatoes used must be fermented before the seeds are kept and washed. Then dried and packaged in a way that will guarentee their vialibity for the next year. Most seeds have such a short shelf life that this would mean doing this complicated, time consuming process every year.

We have an organic farm and buy hybrid seeds for most everything. The disease resistance is an important factor, as well as the time. Yields are greatly improved with many hybrids, as are flavors (there is no such thing as a supersweet heirloom corn, these varieties are careful crosses designed to create sugar without allowing conversion to starch).

Seeds leftover from last year are cheap, until you have a wilt take out an entire crop. And a lot of seeds have some big cross pollination issues. Grow sweet corn within a few miles of a field corn stand, or any other sweet corn, and the hybrid that is created will be tough and starchy, instead of tender and sweet. Tomatoes aren’t as bad on this one, but it’s a risk.

You can get a big savings on seeds by buying in bulk. You would get way more seeds than one family could reasonably use in a year, but the smaller “bulk” seed amounts would be great for a neighborhood. A group of neighbors could go into a veggie project together — this one growing a lot of tomatoes, that one growin peppers, another working on corn, etc. It’s easier to keep on top of things if you only have one type of veggie to work with, then everyone shares the bounty.

Cheap and cheerful, building community, and having a good shot at getting great food.

]]> By: Jim http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-111972 Jim Sat, 12 Jan 2008 23:16:18 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-111972 Most frugal seeds would be heirlooms getting recycled from fruit, not hybrids. Most frugal seeds would be heirlooms getting recycled from fruit, not hybrids.

]]> By: Laura http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-111947 Laura Sat, 12 Jan 2008 18:15:47 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-111947 This salsa had waaaay too much lime & cilantro for my family's taste. I was able to salvage it by adding 1 more jalapeno and 1 tablespoon of sugar. That seemed to cut the lime's sourness and the cilantro's bitterness. This salsa had waaaay too much lime & cilantro for my family’s taste. I was able to salvage it by adding 1 more jalapeno and 1 tablespoon of sugar. That seemed to cut the lime’s sourness and the cilantro’s bitterness.

]]> By: Get Rich Slowly » Frugality in Practice: Canning Season http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-6990 Get Rich Slowly » Frugality in Practice: Canning Season Wed, 06 Sep 2006 16:14:01 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-6990 [...] Kris and a friend masterminded a tomato-growing extravaganza: they ordered seeds together, and are each testing certain varieties. Kris has eight enormous plants, and she’s been harvesting the fruit every night. She’s made tomato soup, tomato sauce, marinara sauce, and, of course, many batches of our favorite salsa. Her tomato map hangs from the fridge, and she’s circled her favorite varieties (Aunt Ruby’s German Green, Yellow Pear, Bloody Butcher, Dr. Wyche’s Yellow, and maybe Caspian Pink) so that she can order them again next year. [...] [...] Kris and a friend masterminded a tomato-growing extravaganza: they ordered seeds together, and are each testing certain varieties. Kris has eight enormous plants, and she’s been harvesting the fruit every night. She’s made tomato soup, tomato sauce, marinara sauce, and, of course, many batches of our favorite salsa. Her tomato map hangs from the fridge, and she’s circled her favorite varieties (Aunt Ruby’s German Green, Yellow Pear, Bloody Butcher, Dr. Wyche’s Yellow, and maybe Caspian Pink) so that she can order them again next year. [...]

]]> By: J.D. http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-5845 J.D. Tue, 22 Aug 2006 15:40:21 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-5845 Kris says that freezing the salsa would turn it to mush. This is a <b>fresh</b> salsa and meant to be eaten as such. <i>Yum.</i> (As a sidenote, when we don't have fresh produce to make this salsa, my favorite is the very-different Salsa Autentica from Trader Joe's. I buy it by the case. It's a saucey, with no chunks, but the flavor is great. A different kind of salsa, to be sure, but very good.) Kris says that freezing the salsa would turn it to mush. This is a fresh salsa and meant to be eaten as such. Yum.

(As a sidenote, when we don’t have fresh produce to make this salsa, my favorite is the very-different Salsa Autentica from Trader Joe’s. I buy it by the case. It’s a saucey, with no chunks, but the flavor is great. A different kind of salsa, to be sure, but very good.)

]]> By: Andrew http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-5839 Andrew Tue, 22 Aug 2006 12:54:43 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-5839 Can you freeze the salsa? How does it come out? Can you freeze the salsa?
How does it come out?

]]> By: J.D. http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-5829 J.D. Tue, 22 Aug 2006 04:42:54 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-5829 Wow, Ivan. That sounds like something we'll have to try. I like salsa of all kinds, that's for sure. Ciaron, this salsa isn't suitable for canning. If we find a good canned salsa, I'll share the recipe. Lane, we have plenty of jalapenos, but if <i>you</i> need tomatoes, drop me a line. We have extra. Wow, Ivan. That sounds like something we’ll have to try. I like salsa of all kinds, that’s for sure.

Ciaron, this salsa isn’t suitable for canning. If we find a good canned salsa, I’ll share the recipe.

Lane, we have plenty of jalapenos, but if you need tomatoes, drop me a line. We have extra.

]]> By: Ivan V. http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-5806 Ivan V. Mon, 21 Aug 2006 18:06:49 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-5806 That sounds tasty... Although if you find that the best salsa ever, you might want to come to Mexico and ask any old lady on any old town for a great salsa recipe. You'll be blown away. And be sure to try using a Molcajete[1] and slowly cook the tomatoes directly on the flames for a while until all their sides are somewhat black. You can do the same with the chiles, although they'll may become a bit too "hot" for you Americans (no offense intended). It's a lot more work (relatively), but it's worth it. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molcajete That sounds tasty… Although if you find that the best salsa ever, you might want to come to Mexico and ask any old lady on any old town for a great salsa recipe. You’ll be blown away.

And be sure to try using a Molcajete[1] and slowly cook the tomatoes directly on the flames for a while until all their sides are somewhat black. You can do the same with the chiles, although they’ll may become a bit too “hot” for you Americans (no offense intended).

It’s a lot more work (relatively), but it’s worth it.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molcajete

]]> By: Ciaron http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-5784 Ciaron Mon, 21 Aug 2006 07:44:13 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-5784 Hey guys, Great recipe, I too have far too many tomatoes left over so this is much appreciated, just a quick question: do you have any tips for storing this salsa, preserving jars, freezing maybe? cheers, Ciaron Hey guys,

Great recipe, I too have far too many tomatoes left over so this is much appreciated, just a quick question: do you have any tips for storing this salsa, preserving jars, freezing maybe?

cheers,
Ciaron

]]> By: J.D. http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-5782 J.D. Mon, 21 Aug 2006 04:29:21 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-5782 Apparently "salsa" triggers Google's Spanish-language adwords algorithm... Apparently “salsa” triggers Google’s Spanish-language adwords algorithm…

]]> By: Kris http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-5781 Kris Mon, 21 Aug 2006 03:13:56 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-5781 Jd forgot to mention that I buy one large container of Campbell's tomato juice at the beginning of the summer and freeze it in 1/2-cup portions just for this recipe. In such a flavorful mix, you can't tell the difference, and it makes it very economical. However, this year I plan to try canning my own homegrown tomato juice. And does anyone have a good recipe for home-canned tomato soup? Jd forgot to mention that I buy one large container of Campbell’s tomato juice at the beginning of the summer and freeze it in 1/2-cup portions just for this recipe. In such a flavorful mix, you can’t tell the difference, and it makes it very economical. However, this year I plan to try canning my own homegrown tomato juice. And does anyone have a good recipe for home-canned tomato soup?

]]> By: Lane http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-5778 Lane Mon, 21 Aug 2006 01:32:54 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/08/20/frugal-recipes-the-best-salsa-ever/#comment-5778 I have freshly grown Jalepenos... Lemme know if you want some for your salsa. I have freshly grown Jalepenos… Lemme know if you want some for your salsa.

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