Cherry Salsa

The summer of 2012 we visited Traverse City Michigan.  Our only niece lives there.  It is a beautiful area in Michigan.  There is a reason songs are written about it and famous people live there.  It is also famous for the cherries that are grown in the area.  If you are familiar with Door Country in Wisconsin, it is much the same.  It seems that latitude must produce the best cherries.  While visiting, I purchased some Cherry Salsa for my family at home.   I didn't get a chance to taste it.  This summer my sister brought me some salsa from Traverse City and a bag of cherry tortilla chips.  I gave my husband and my dad a little taste, and I ate the rest all by myself.  There is about two tablespoons left for when I need a special treat.

I thought maybe I could make my own cherry salsa.  I have made other salsas in the past.  I asked my sister if she had a recipe, and she sent me this one put out by one of the cherry growers.  This recipe calls for cherry jam.  At first I was going to make my own cherry jam because the cherries are in season.  Then I thought better of it.  I wasn't going to waste perfectly good jam on something I had never tried before.

These two 12 ounce jars cost less than $5.00 for both compared to the little jar which cost a least $8.00, maybe more.

 

Fresh Cherry Salsa

Ingredients:

1 Jar Cherry Jam 8 oz.
2 Cups Diced Tomatoes or 1 - 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (drained)
1 Cup Diced Onions
1/4 Cup Diced Jalapeno Peppers (or to taste)
2 TBSP Tomato Paste
1 tsp Garlic
1 tsp Chili Powder
1/2 tsp Oregano



Put all ingredients into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Let boil for about 2 minutes and put in jars. Invert the jars lid side down for 5 min and then cool to room temperature. Makes 3 - 8 oz. jars of Cherry Salsa.

I put it in two 12 oz. jars.  The jars actually sealed.   I think it turned out great.  I didn't have fresh tomatoes so I used the canned variety.  Mine had garlic and onion in them, but I still added the recommended amount of garlic and onion.  Next time I will use fresh tomatoes or a can of plain diced tomatoes.  I may also cut back on the oregano and try 1/4 teaspoon.  Overall, I think it was a success.

 I'm going to the store right now.  Fresh cherries are $1.99 a pound.  I'm going to make some cherry jam.