Cherry Salsa

Cherry salsa is a fantastic choice for a canning project.  There is a short window of time to prepare it fresh, it can be hard to find commercially and it is super-delicious!

Since cherries are on the pricey side, towards the end of the season is the best time to take advantage of sales (unless you are lucky enough to have a cherry tree and can harvest your own).  Stock up, spend an afternoon canning and you'll have fresh cherry salsa year-round.

Ingredients
3 lbs cherries
1 bunch cilantro
1 long hot pepper
6 small sweet peppers
1/2 cup water
5 Tbs sherry vinegar
6 cloves garlic
2 Tbs chia seeds (for thickening and they are crazy-healthy, can substitute 1 Tbs dissolved cornstarch)
Juice from 2 limes
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Tools
1/2 pint canning jars (8)
Paper towels
Cloth towel
Asparagus steamer (or actual canning equipment)
Oven mitt (or canning tongs)
Knife
Cutting board
Juicer
Saucepan
Chopstick

Prepare fresh salsa...

1. Pit and cut cherries
2. Juice limes
3. Mince garlic, peppers and cilantro
4. Mix ingredients in a bowl and add salt and pepper

If you are not planning to can the salsa, you're done!  Otherwise, move to the next step.

Pour salsa into saucepan.  Briefly cooking the salsa before canning (called hot-packing) will help retain color and flavor after canning. Bring mixture to a boil for 1 minute, then reduce to a simmer for 3 - 5 minutes.

Fill canning jars...

1. After each is filled, slowly mix with a small utensil to remove air bubbles.  In this case, a chopstick was used
2. Wipe sides and mouth with a paper towel to remove any salsa that could get between the lid and the jar
3. Place lid and tightly screw on top

Jar goes into cage...

Cage goes into water...

Cover and boil for 15 minutes.

Remove jar from the rack using an oven mitt (a Pac-Man oven mitt if possible) and set on a towel until cool. 

Press down on center of each jar to make sure they are sealed.  If not, rinse jar and repeat process.

Store in a cool, dry place for up to a year. 

Look forward to enjoying your summery, fresh salsa in the middle of winter : )