Hotsy Totsy Canned Salsa

Yields 5 half pints.

This also passes as a lightly seasoned tomato sauce - a good start for any pasta sauce you're trying to concoct. To keep this salsa safe for canning by the boiling-water canner method, do not increase quantities of chiles, onions, fresh cilantro or garlic, or decrease the amount of tomatoes. You can, however, increase the cumin powder, Tabasco sauce, salt, dried oregano or vinegar.

5 cups peeled and finely chopped tomatoes (see note)
1 cup finely chopped mild green chiles (about
    4 medium Anaheim chiles; see note)
1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion
1/2 cup finely chopped green onion
1/3 cup seeded and minced fresh jalapeno chiles (4 to 5; see note)
1/2 cup white vinegar (5 percent acidity)
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 to 3 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cumin powder
1 teaspoon Tabasco or other hot pepper sauce
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

Wash 5 half-pint jars; keep hot. Prepare lids as manufacturer directs.

In a large pot place tomatoes, green chiles, onion, green onions, jalapeno chilies, vinegar, garlic, cilantro, salt, cumin, hot sauce and oregano. Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

Ladle hot salsa into 1 hot jar at a time, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Wipe jar rim with a clean, damp cloth. Attach lid. Fill and close remaining jars. Process in a boiling-water canner 15 minutes (from 1,000 to 6,000 feet, process 20 minutes; above 6,000 feet, process 25 minutes).

NOTE: To peel tomatoes, plunge into boiling water for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove immediately and plunge into cold water. Skin should slip off easily.

NOTE: Wear gloves when handling fresh chiles - the oils can cause a burning sensation on your skin.