Tomato/Tomato Paste Salsa

• 3 qts peeled, cored, chopped slicing tomatoes
• 3 cups chopped onions
• 6 jalapeno peppers, seeded, finely chopped
• 4 long green cihles, seeded, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 12-ounce cans tomato paste
• 2 cups bottled lemon or lime juice
• 1 Tbsp salt
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1 Tbsp ground cumin (optional)
• 2 Tbsp oregano leaves (optional)
• 1 tsp black pepper

Yield: About 7 to 9 pints

CAUTION Wear plastic or rubber gloves and do not touch your face while handling or cutting hot peppers. If you do not wear gloves, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before touching your face or eyes.

Peel and prepare peppers

Wash and dry peppers; slit each pepper along the side to allow steam to escape. Blister skins using one of these two methods:

Oven or broiler method to blister skins - Place peppers in a hot oven (400° F) or under a broiler for 6 to 8 minutes until skins blister.

Range-top method to blister skins - Cover hot burner (either gas or electric) with heavy wire mesh. Place peppers on burner for several minutes until skins blister.

To peel, after blistering skins, place peppers in a pan and cover with a damp cloth. (This will make peeling the peppers easier.) Cool several minutes; peel off skins. Discard seeds and chop.

Procedure: Wash tomatoes and dip in boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds or until skins split. Dip in cold water, slip of skins, and remove cores. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Fill hot salsa into hot pint jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace if needed. Wipe rims of jars with a dampened clean paper towel. Adjust lids and process.

Recommended process time for Tomato/Tomato Paste Salsa in a boiling-water canner
Style of Pack	Jar Size	Process Time at Altitudes of
		0-1,000 ft	1,001-6,000 ft	Above 6,000 ft
Hot	Pints	15 min	20	25