Pineapple Tomato Salsa

There comes a time in the life of every blogger when blogging must be cast down several stations on the to-do list. I have been living such a time. It's all pretty good and it's all about family, but even good things can be stressful and time consuming. I'm grateful to have a flexible job and husband. I may share more as I'm permitted. Part of being a good family member and blogger means not blabbing about other people's business.

The good news is, I'm back and I have been cooking and eating and taking photos. I have a little back log that should see me though several Random Food Friday posts. Today I'm sharing a project of moderate success.

I really like Trader Joe's Pineapple Salsa. I kept thinking, I can make this. This wouldn't be hard. Nom. Nom. Nom. I began to search all my many books and the interwebs for a recipe that sounded close. It's weird. I could not find one pineapple salsa recipe that included tomatoes. I ended up faking it with proportions from a peach salsa recipe and by using the ingredients list on the side of the Trader Joe's bottle. Of course, I also used my trusty litmus paper to insure proper acidity.

This came out pretty good, though not a true duplicate of Trader Joe's version. I'm new at salsas and I've learned some things that I would change in the future. One thing I've discovered is the heat may increase over time. This tastes much spicier now than when I was taste-testing during cooking. It's still within a good range for me, but leaves behind my more sensitive family members. I've also noticed that it is missing some richness. During a side-by-side taste test today, I determined what is missing is some garlic, tomato paste and a smokey flavor. I used fresh tomatoes from my garden. They added great flavor and texture, but the sweetness and richness of a good shot of tomato paste would have helped a lot. I also used fresh chopped jalapenos and canned diced green chilies. I think using chipotles and freshly charred and chopped green chilies would have added the smokey taste that is missing. I will include some of these suggestions in the recipe.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy pineapple salsa is as a topping for baked sweet potatoes. Top a perfectly baked sweet potato with some of this salsa, a little grated extra sharp cheddar, a dab of sour cream and a sprinkling of cilantro and you've got a fantastic and colorful meal on your hands.

Pineapple and Tomato Salsa

6 cups peeled and diced tomatoes (plus tomato paste to taste)

1 7 oz. can diced green chilies (or equivalent fresh)

2 diced jalapenos (or diced chipotles to taste)

2 cups diced yellow onion

2 cloves garlic, diced (I would use more)

2 20 oz. cans crushed pineapple with juice

3 tbsp. brown sugar

2 tsp. salt (slightly more if using kosher salt)

2 tbsp. cider vinegar

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Prepare jars and boiling water bath for canning.

Combine all ingredients except the cilantro in a large sauce pot. Bring to a boil and simmer until desired consistency is reached, stirring frequently. Mine took about 40 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add the fresh cilantro and stir through. Carefully ladle into jars leaving 1/2 inch head space. Use a knife or chop stick to poke down into the jar along the edges to release air bubbles. Wipe rims with a damp cloth and cover with lids and rings. Process in the boiling water bath for 15 minutes, beginning timing from when the water returns to a full boil. Turn off heat and allow the jars to remain in the water for 5 minutes before carefully removing to a towel lined tray. Allow the jars to sit undisturbed overnight. Check for seals and label.

Makes about 7 12 oz. jars.

8/25/11 - Update - We had tacos for dinner tonight and I doctored up a jar of this salsa. I added a couple of pinches of salt, a sprinkle of garlic powder and a squirt of GIA Sun Dried Tomato Paste. Voila! Perfecto! Extrapolated for the above recipe, I would say, add another teaspoon of salt, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder and one 2.8 oz. tube of the sun dried tomato paste.

I hope you all learn from and avoid my mistakes! Experimentation is fun!

8/13/13 - Another exciting update! Check this new revised version. Much better!