Viva la Salsa!

[wildfreightess]

Ok, I admit it.... I have a salsa fetish. I was attempting to make my own salsa a few weeks ago and I had a brilliant idea. Why don't I grow my own salsa??

Trouble is, I tried to grow some flowers a few years ago, and I discovered that not only was I born without a green thumb, I seem to have been born with a black thumb! Any advice on how to start and nourish my little seeds? The picture on the seed packet looks so good and I'd love for my little seedlings to grow up big and strong so I can eat them and their offspring.

Thanks!

[czechmate]

I don't have a green thumb either. I purchase the plants that have already grown.
BUT - I have a great home-made salsa recipe.

8 nice size tomatillos (dehusk and wash)
4 roma tomatoes or 2 vine ripe
2 jalepenos (reduce if desired)
2 arbol chilis (found pre-bagged in Mexican aisle)
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 onion
handful of cilantro

Spray tomatoes, whole tomatillos and jalepanos with non-stick spray and grill. About 7 mins each side
Wrap arbol chilis in foil and grill no more than 2 mins. (They burn quickly)
Then place everything into a food processor, add salt and chop

ENJOY!!!!

[roz]

I assume you mean you want to grow the peppers! Buy some Miracle Grow potting soil. Place it in a ceramic pot. Press the seeds lightly into the soil. Water well. Now, cover the pot with Saran Wrap completely (not just the top because the ceramic is porous) and secure it with a rubber band. Place the pot in a sunny area. In a few days the seeds will germinate. When they grow to the height of the Saran Wrap, losen it a bit so that they have more room to grow. When, they are about 1 inch in height, remove the Saran Wrap and you have baby plants. When they get a bit bigger, transplant them into their own pots or into your garden. You will probably need to stake them as well.

[Kristie]

my quirk is always with the watering... i tend to water plants to much which in turns makes my thumb blacker...it seems that if it doesn't tell me how much to feed it, i overfeed and it dies

that salsa recipe sounds awesome!! with doug being home this week, i might ask him to make that for me!

[TheWife]

With tomatoes, you let them get almost dry, not actually dry, but almost, then soak them. That helps prevent splits in the skin that come from over watering constantly.

[ccbegay]

Originally Posted by czechmate

I don't have a green thumb either. I purchase the plants that have already grown.
BUT - I have a great home-made salsa recipe.

8 nice size tomatillos (dehusk and wash)
4 roma tomatoes or 2 vine ripe
2 jalepenos (reduce if desired)
2 arbol chilis (found pre-bagged in Mexican aisle)
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 onion
handful of cilantro

Spray tomatoes, whole tomatillos and jalepanos with non-stick spray and grill. About 7 mins each side
Wrap arbol chilis in foil and grill no more than 2 mins. (They burn quickly)
Then place everything into a food processor, add salt and chop

ENJOY!!!!

oh my goodness...sounds so yummy...gonna make some on my day off!

[wildfreightess]

Roz, thanks for the pepper-growing tips! I just got home from my 4-day, and I'm going to head to Home Depot right after I finish my coffee.

I'm also going to head to the grocery store and try czechmate's recipe tonight! Sounds delicious and perfect for summer!

Thanks!

[czechmate]

Beware: it is spicy!

You might want to purchase extra tomatoes and/or make it with only 1 jalapeno. It's got some kick to it!!!!!!!!

I hope everyone enjoys it.

[Kristie]

i LOVE kick!

[ccbegay]

Originally Posted by Kristie

i LOVE kick!

I know, me too...and i can not seem to get enough of a 'kickiness' out here in Charlotte...every Mexican/or spicy dish, is just not enough...sometimes, i carry red chili peppers in my purse to put the kick in bland foods...Hahhaha...