Thirty-two dollars.
That’s how much it cost to make 35 pints of salsa, using only fresh, southwest Michigan vegetables. The value, however, is immeasurable. Thirty-two dollars. That’s how much it cost to make 35 pints of salsa, using only fresh, southwest Michigan vegetables. The value, however, is immeasurable.
My husband and I are a well-oiled machine when it comes to canning salsa. We each have our own tasks, and over the years have mastered our respective responsibilities. Together, in our small kitchen, my husband and I have our ‘salsa’ dance down pat.
The joy we get out of a salsa weekend might seem silly to others. For us, it is such a compilation of little moments – and memories – that make it worth every second.
The memories start with my mom. I’m the 5th of 6 children, and I’m the only one of them who still cans anything. Maybe the house was a little quieter by the time I was old enough to participate; maybe it was easier to manage teaching a pre-teen this special art with a bit less of the chaos she was used to. I just know that it was special time for me.
I learned how important the little things were. Clean and sanitize the jars and lids; make sure jars are hot when you put in the tomatoes (or whatever we were working on), so the jars don’t break. Make sure you wipe the top of the jar with a clean cloth after filling, so that the lids could seal. And, one bad tomato does indeed spoil the whole bunch!
After I’d been married a year, our first child was born. Her arrival was perfect timing, as my mom could come stay for a few days and not just fuss over her granddaughter, but also help me can some tomatoes. She did the same thing for the next couple of years, and I was so grateful for her gift of time – and tomatoes to eat all winter.
So, of course, part of my canning joy is just remembering times with Mom, and over the last 30 years, fun memories with my husband. It was hectic, but worth it every time.
Then there is the pure joy of the smells that permeate throughout the house for the whole weekend. We watch college football while cutting up all the peppers (5 kinds) and garlic and onions. Then begins the tomatoes. A half bushel of fresh Roma tomatoes simmering on the stove, together with all those vegetables; the smell is a slice of heaven.
Our grown daughter has only just started to show some interest. She wanted to join me for a day last fall to make chili to freeze for both of our households. I told her I would love that, but it starts with her helping to can tomatoes…just so she understands the labor of love. I’m hopeful we repeat that for many years.
Thirty-two dollars for 35 pints of salsa. Every time we eat it, share it, give it away, I’m happy way down to my soul. You can’t put a price on that.