Smokey Zucchini Salsa

This recipe is a must for any one who has a plethora of zucchini and also does some canning.  The yield for this recipe is huge; I got 30 pint jars from one batch!

You'll need to prep and brine the vegetables overnight, so be sure to start this recipe when you know you'll have time to can it the following day.

This recipe is great for those larger zucchinis you may have missed in the garden.  Just half zucchinis lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with a spoon.  You can also peel the zucchini if you like; I didn't bother, I like the extra color.

Liquid smoke can be found near the the barbecue and hot sauces in most grocery stores.  Or you can make your own homemade liquid smoke!

Tip:  I recommend placing a kitchen towel under your cutting board when cutting up lots of tomatoes...

This salsa is fantastic year round.  Its great with chips, tacos, enchiladas and really anything else!  It also makes an excellent addition to soups that call for salsa, like my Crockpot Taco Soup!

Ingredients:
-30 cups shredded zucchini
-12 small onions {or 6 to 8 large onions}
-6 green peppers, shredded
-6 red peppers, shredded
-3/4 cup canning salt
-3 tbsp dry mustard
-3 tbsp garlic powder
-3 tbsp cumin
-1 to 2 tbsp chili powder {I used 1 tbsp}
-3 tbsp liquid smoke
-5 cups white vinegar
-1 cup apple cider vinegar
-2 1/4 cups brown sugar
-2 cups fresh cilantro, chopped
-10 to 15 jalapenos, chopped
-3 tsp ground pepper
-15 to 20 cups chopped ripe tomatoes {skins on}
-3 to 4 tbsp cornstarch
-3 (12 oz.) cans tomato paste

Process:
Day 1- 
Mix and Brine Vegetables:
1. Thoroughly mix shredded zucchini, onions, green and red peppers with canning salt in a very large bowl {or multiple bowls}.
2. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Day 2-
Cooking and Canning:
1. Prepare canning jars and lids.
2. Rinse and drain the zucchini mixture in batches.  Squeeze out the access moisture.
3. In a very large pot {I started with my two largest cooking pots and ended up switching to my canner} combine zucchini mixture with all remaining ingredients.

4. Bring salsa to a boil and simmer for about 15 minutes.

5. Pour salsa into hot jars, leaving 1/2 inch head-space, wipe rims, top with lids and place in water bath.
6. Process jars for 15 minutes in a boiling water bath.
7. Remove canner lid and let sit for 5 minutes.
8. Remove jars from canner to a wire rack or clean kitchen towel.

9. Allow jars to cool and seal.

Enjoy!