Quick Homemade Salsa

This was my first attempt at growing tomato plants, upside down, in galvanized buckets. I'll make some minor adjustments this year. We aren't allowed to have a garden in the front yard and the backyard is completely shaded. What do you do? Grow them in pretty buckets in the front yard! By the way, see that beautiful stick? My Caleb made that just for me to support my very heavy tomato plants!


I made this recipe just this morning while the kids were working on math. It's quick and easy and the flavors are absolutely fabulous. Everyone here likes it because it's somewhat smooth. No chunks to chew. Besides slurping salsa on a tortilla chip is fun. We only slurp in the privacy of our own home. Mostly.

Now there's a reason why there aren't fresh tomatoes in this recipe. First, this recipe starts with the word quick, and second, fresh tomatoes in this part of the world at this time of year are, well, horrible. Honestly, I don't know how grocers get away with selling them as tomatoes. If you happen to live in a place where a tomato looks like a tomato, smells like a tomato, and tastes like a tomato, good for you. Use all fresh ingredients and change the name of this recipe to Homemade Salsa or Fresh Homemade Salsa or I'm so Lucky I Live in Place that has Fresh Tomatoes Year Round Salsa. Or something like that.

Last time I made this, my Rachel dug in and absolutely loved it. We enjoy slurping together! After we had eaten the salsa together a couple of different times, I was caught off guard when she read the recipe and said, "This has tomatoes in it?" I kid you not. "What do you think that red stuff is, Honey?" I just love that girl!

Quick Homemade Salsa

What you will need:

1 (28 oz) can whole peeled tomatoes
1 (10 oz) can Ro-tel Original Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies
1 small sweet onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon Old El Paso Jalapeno slices
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 lime, juiced

Place all ingredients in a food processor and process until almost smooth. If you like your salsa a little chunkier, don't process it as long. Makes about 5 cups.

Enjoy!