Salsa with a Secret

By courtneyepowell

Sauerkraut is the secret ingredient!

Ingredients

• 4 pounds fresh beefsteak tomatoes, blanched, peeled and chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
• 1/2 cup roasted red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup rinsed, drained sauerkraut
• 1 can chipotle peppers (7.5 ounces), chopped, undrained
• Juice reserved from red pepper while roasting
• 4 tomatillos, sliced
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1 can mild green chiles (4 ounces), undrained
• Juice reserved from red pepper while roasting
• 4 tomatillos, sliced
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1 can mild green chiles (4 ounces), undrained
• 4 cloves garlic, pressed
• 4 cloves pickled garlic, pressed
• 2 teaspoons white sugar
• Dash black pepper
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 bunch chopped scallions

Preparation

Step 1

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, cilantro, roasted red pepper, sauerkraut and chipotle peppers.

2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the reserved red pepper liquid and the tomatillos. Cover with plastic wrap, leaving a small vent hole, and microwave on high 1 minute or until tomatillos are tender. Let cool, then stir into tomato mixture.

3. Add all remaining ingredients except scallions and stir. Mix in scallions 1 hour before serving. Makes about 1 gallon.