I WANT TO MAKE SALSA! What do I need, and where's the best deal?

[bowzer1972]

Yeah, that title pretty much summed it up. My blender is just not cutting it. Is there a good "salsa maker" out there, and if so, where can I go get it at a reasonable price? Many thanks!

 

C

[trbarginhunter]

DH uses a cutting board and a kitchen knife. We just don't like it from a blender, food processor, etc. And it seems faster anyway...Chop everthing, mix in a ziploc container and refrigerate for a while for the flavors to blend.

[davephillyj]

I buy mine from the local Mexican resturant by the half gallon. Only $5. I've tried making my own and it never tastes right and the time and cost of ingredients, I just get it at the resturant. Just my two pennies.

[amyers12345]

I also do everything by hand, but my mother always uses a food processor to chop anything. She makes awesome salsa with it.

 

Are you using fresh tomatoes and canning it, or just using canned to eat as you make it?

 

If you're making tons, I would use a food processor. I have a cheap one from Walmart, and it works fine in moderation. Mom has a cuisinart, and loves it. You can buy a refurb one on Amazon for around $40.

[yellowjeepster]

Dh and I have been canning salsa the past few years with ingredients from our own garden. The first yr. we just did the chopping by hand and then we progressed to a little chopper. It wasn't the greatest b/c it wouldn't completely chop everything and it takes a lot of the juices out. This year I used the Vidalia Chop Wizard. It worked great and didn't turn everything to mush or leave big chunks. You can find them for around $20. For the tomatoes we use the Back to Basics Food Strainer & Sauce Maker. I can not express how fast and easy this strainer is to use. All you have to do is wash the tomatoes and quarter them and the strainer does the rest. No more boiling and trying to peel them! It seperates the skins from the juice. It has different size of strainer attachments so you can make apple sauce or jelly and so on. This is a must for anyone canning anything w/tomatoes or straining things. I think we bought ours on sale a few years ago for around $40. and it was worth every penny.