Mild Salsa

Makes 9 Pints

Ingredients:
~ 7 cups of chopped bell peppers                     ~8 diced button mushrooms
~ 8 cups of prepared chopped tomatoes           ~1/4 cup lemon juice
~ 3 cups of coarsely chopped onions                 ~ 3/4 cup pickling vinegar
~ 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped                    ~ 3 -5.5 oz cans of tomato herb paste
                                            ~ 2 tsp coarse salt

Directions:
1)  Blanch, peel, and chop 8 cups tomatoes. ( see blanching on crushed tomato recipe)
2)  Coarsely chop 7 cups of bell peppers
3) Coarsely chop onions,mushrooms, and finely chop garlic.
4) Place tomatoes,peppers,onions,garlic, and mushrooms in large pot.

5) Add lemon juice,vinegar,tomato paste, and salt.
6) Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring often.
7) Fill canner with boiling water, up to what would be the metal band on the jars, and heat.
8) Place snap lids in boiling water and simmer 5 minutes.
9) Fill jars up to 1 inch from top with salsa.

10) Process in bath canner for 25 minutes.
11) Remove from heat and cool.

*This is a excellent replacement for spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, salsa, etc.*

Recipe by Donna