When you are making salsa recipes for home canning, remember that not every type of salsa can safely be canned depending on the ingredients that go into it. The bacteria which grows in improperly canned foods, if ingested in even small quantities, can result in damage to the nervous system (and in the worst case even death).
Since most salsa recipes contain a mixture of low-acid foods such as onions and chiles, an acid such as lemon juice or vinegar must be added to prevent the growth of this bacteria. Special care must be taken to ensure that they contain enough of this acid to be processed safely in a boiling water canner.
When following canned salsa recipe instructions, make sure to follow them exactly. Use the amounts of each vegetable listed in the recipe and add the amount of vinegar or lemon juice listed.
Do not can salsas that do not follow these or other research tested recipes. Remember that you always have the option of freezing or refrigerating the salsa.
Do not thicken salsas with flour or cornstarch before canning. After you open a jar to use, you may pour off some of the liquid or thicken with cornstarch.
Pretreat the jar lids according to the manufacturer's instructions. The hot salsa should be put into hot clean jars during the canning process. Be very careful not to leave any of the salsa on the rims. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp paper towel. Then screw on the metal bands after putting on the lids.
Use a rack to keep the jars from touching the canner bottom and allow the heat to reach all sides of the filled jars when processing in a boiling water canner. Put the jars into a canner that contains simmering water.
Add the boiling water if needed to bring water 1-2 inches above the top of the jars. Don't pour the water directly on the jars. Place a tight-fitting cover on canner.
Bring water back to a rolling boil and set a timer for recommended processing time. Make sure the water is boiling gently and steadily.
The jars should be extracted from the canner immediately after the timer sounds. Don't leave the jars in the water too long or the food might spoil.
If you find that a jar is not sealed, refrigerate it and use it soon after that.
When storing, wipe the jars and label them with the date and the contents of the jar. Store the salsa jars in a cool dark place and use it within a year.
When you are ready to try your homemade salsa recipe, before opening each jar, look for any bulging lids, leaks, or any unusual appearance of the food. If you notice an odor, mold, foam, or anything that might make you suspicious, destroy the salsa food.
As you can see, you need to take great care when canning salsa to ensure that the quality of the food is maintained. But the results are worth the effort!
