Freezer Salsa

A hot tomato sauce can perk up any dish, from a juicy burger to a swordfish steak. Make up a big batch using fresh Ontario field tomatoes when they are at their flavour peak and best budget price. Keep stocked in the freezer to add a glorious fresh sassy touch of summer to even your heartiest dishes in the depth of winter. Sprinkle with fresh sliced green onions before serving, if desired.

Preparation time

15 minutes

Ready in

27 minutes

Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Makes

5 cups (1.25 L)

Cook Mode

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Ingredients

  • 12 Ontario Field Tomatoes, about 4 lb (2 kg)
  • 1/4 cup (50 mL) olive oil
  • 3 tbsp (45 mL) finely chopped Ontario Hot Peppers
  • 6 cloves Ontario Garlic, chopped
  • 6 Ontario Green Onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 tbsp (45 mL fresh lime or lemon juice
  • 1/4 tsp (1 mL) each salt and pepper
     

Instructions

Core tomatoes; cut shallow "X" on bottoms. In batches, plunge into large pot of boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes, until skins just start to split. Remove with slotted spoon and cool in cold water, refreshing water as necessary to keep cold. Drain.

Peel tomatoes and slice in half crosswise. Gently squeeze out seeds and juice, discarding or straining juice for another use. Coarsely chop seeded tomatoes and place in large sieve; gently press to extract as much juice as possible without mushing tomatoes. Transfer to large bowl.

In small skillet, heat oil over low heat; add hot pepper and garlic. Cover and cook, stirring often, for 10 to 12 minutes, until garlic is softened and flavours are blended. Stir in onions.

Add onion mixture to tomatoes and gently stir. Stir in lime juice, salt and pepper. Serve immediately or transfer to airtight containers to freeze. Store in freezer for up to 3 months. To use, thaw in refrigerator, then drain off excess.

Nutritional Information

1 Serving (1/2 cup): 

  • PROTEIN: 2 grams
  • FAT: 5 grams
  • CARBOHYDRATE: 8 grams
  • CALORIES: 85
  • FIBRE: 2 grams
  • SODIUM: 75 mg
     

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