Enjoy a Little Salsa!

I have thoroughly enjoyed my garden this year, and along with fresh produce, rediscovered the joy of "putting by" some of the vegetables. I had forgotten the great sense of accomplishment in seeing row after row of jars filled with the colors of the garden, now brought indoors for the winter months. The photo to the left is my chili salsa. (I will share my recipe with you at the bottom of this post --and I hope you will enjoy a little different kind of salsa as you read.)

Although putting by the garden produce was once a necessity of life (you couldn't buy canned goods easily), home canning is now seeing a revival because it allows the cook to control the kinds of ingredients that go into the recipe. Although it can be time-consuming, I feel part of a process where I can see clear results -- the fruits of my labor.

Creating of any kind brings that same sense of fulfillment. Perhaps that is one reason there has been such a revival of anything handmade. And, even if you don't make the item yourself, there is a greater sense of enjoyment knowing the ideas, design, work and effort that went into creating that one-of-a-kind item by the hand-crafting of the artisan you buy from.

The Boomers and Beyond Etsy Street Team is comprised of so many talented artists! With the theme of enjoying a little salsa, check out these amazing handmade items you can own -- the fruits of their labors. . . .

Red Green Yellow Fine Viscose Felt by Sassalyne

Hand Crochet Multi Colored Neckwarmer by TheSlipStitch

Red Tulip Original 12 x 12 inch painting by THE BLUE HERON STUDIO

Fused Glass Heart Magnet by Chris1

Pathway Original Watercolor by sixsisters

Red Textured Serving Plate by artsielady

Red Jasper Pendant with copper tree trunk by yarrow1

The First Allessandra bag ... roomy, fashionable and fun by scottieacres

Burnt Orange Long Scarf by stitchesbyjulie

Lampwork Disc Bead by SusanLambert

Necklace red coral and silver tassel by PixieMarket

Marbled Alchemy Business Card Holder by Kimbuktu

Raspberry Flower Focal with Button Center by ZudaGay

Native American Beaded Earrings by jstinson

I hope you enjoyed the salsa selections from the Bbest Team.  Now, for the recipe I promised:

Canned Chili Salsa

1 lb. onions, chopped

2 lbs. anaheim chili peppers

5 lbs. fresh tomatoes

3 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 cup white vinegar

Peel the fresh peppers by roasting in a 400 degree oven until they blister to loosen the skins. Discard the seeds and chop the peppers. Wash the tomatoes and dip for 30-60 seconds in boiling water to loosen the skins. Dip in cold water, slip off the skins, and remove the cores. Coarsely chop the tomatoes and combine all the ingredients in a large saucepan. heat to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Fill sterilized pint jars, leaving 1/2" head space. Adjust the lids and process in a boiling water bath for 19 minutes at 4,001-6,000  feet altitude; 21 minutes at 6,001-8,000 feet altitude. Remove from the hot water and set out of a draft for 24 hours before moving to assure sealing.