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The Story of My Mom’s Salsa (and Why I Can’t Share My Salsa Recipe)

May 17, 2011 by Laura 46 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

salsa_1

I’ve been promising for months to share my mom’s salsa story. Not her recipe…but her story. I can’t share her recipe. But the story is kind of a nice one. :)

My mom began making salsa when I was a little girl, tweaking and playing with ingredients from her garden until she figured out a recipe that was just right. We all loved it. Neighbors loved it. Family members loved it. Friends loved it. There was nothing incredibly fancy about Mom’s salsa. It was slightly sweet. Slightly spicy. Just right.

When my brother and I were in college, she would send her home-canned salsa to the dorm with us. It became a hit with our college friends and it wouldn’t last long. :)  I’m not sure when Mom’s salsa really began to become a “big thing” locally, but I believe it was around the time I was graduating from college and getting married.

People all over the town where she and my dad lived were requesting that she make them some of her salsa. She began receiving orders. A downtown shop began to request her salsa so that they could sell it to their customers. After a while, she was making so many jars of salsa, she could barely keep up. She knew with the volume of salsa she was making, she needed a licensed kitchen to work in. She was swimming in salsa. :)

Around that time, my uncle and aunt in Chicago who had “connections” set up a meeting with a company who could make and market my mom’s salsa for her. Mom and Dad flew to Chicago, toured the commercial kitchen, made necessary negotiations, signed a bunch of papers…and my mom’s salsa officially became  BJ’s Salsa:

(My mom’s name was Bettye Jo…her family and some friends often called her BJ.)

Now my mom didn’t have to break her neck to keep up with the salsa demand! It was being made and shipped out to stores and marketed by others. My mom was so pleased with this success, and well she should be. She’d worked hard for this!

My mom was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease) in the fall of 2002. Salsa sales had begun to slow by then anyway, and all of us were so focused on Mom and her health and keeping her comfortable, salsa was really the last thing on our minds.

After she went to be with Jesus in July of 2004, our family was so thankful to have a few jars of her salsa left. We cherished and hoarded them. We were out of sorts and grieving. We weren’t thinking very logically (or at least I wasn’t), which is why it took over a year for us to talk about or realize that it may still be possible for her salsa to be made and sent to us.

Dad checked into it and sure enough. We could get ourselves some BJ’s Salsa.

We still cherish each jar of my mom’s salsa. But we don’t have to hoard it anymore. And every time I open a new jar, I feel like I’m opening something made by my mom. There is a simple statement on each jar:

“Developed in the kitchen of Bettye Jo Hamm”

It helps me not miss her quite so much. Or maybe it makes me miss her even more.

I use her recipe now (which must be kept a secret) to make salsa with ingredients from my own garden. It’s not quite as good as “Grammy’s salsa” was, but we like it okay. ;)

salsa_2

Now, anytime I talk about using salsa in a recipe, you know that I’m not just using any ol’ salsa. I’m opening a treasure each time I open a jar of salsa. One that came right out of “Bettye Jo’s kitchen”.

{Edited to note:  BJ’s Salsa isn’t sold in any stores right now (except for one small shop in my hometown). Thanks for inquiring about it. Maybe we should look into putting it in stores again? Hmm…}

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Filed Under: Family News Tagged With: mom, recipe, salsa

Comments

  1. Char says

    May 17, 2011 at 8:57 pm

    I knew this story, but it made me cry to read it. I’m so glad you can still get her salsa!

    Reply
  2. heather shelton says

    May 17, 2011 at 8:59 pm

    thanks for sharing, thats a great story and I am certain your mom would be very pleased with what you doing. You are an inspiration to many.

    Reply
  3. Rachel says

    May 17, 2011 at 9:01 pm

    Hi Tammy,
    Thank you for sharing your mother’s beautiful story with us. I, too, understand the agony of loosing loved ones to ALS. Familial ALS runs in a section of my family. Your mother left an amazing legacy behind through her family and salsa. I am sorry for your sadness; yet, like you, am longing for my eternal home where there will be no death, neither sorrow, nor crying.
    ~Rachel

    Reply
    • Rachel says

      May 17, 2011 at 9:03 pm

      I am so sorry, Laura. That is what I get for flipping through websites. I did not mean to come accross as inconsiderate. :(

      Reply
      • Laura says

        May 17, 2011 at 9:06 pm

        No problem at all…I completely understand! :)

        I’m sad to hear that this is something you’ve had to deal with in your family more than once. It’s a terrible disease. :( You’re right, we do long for our eternal home. Thank God for HOPE!

        Reply
  4. elaine says

    May 17, 2011 at 9:03 pm

    Precious!! Thanks so much for sharing such a sweet, personal story.

    Reply
  5. Linda G. says

    May 17, 2011 at 9:11 pm

    I knew, of course, that I would be crying while reading this post. I, too, know the story, but am thankful to hear it again. Tucked away somewhere, I have an empty salsa jar, one with a green and white BJ’s label, that I just can’t seem to let go. It helps remind me of Bettye Jo’s true legacy–her love for others and her love for the Lord.

    Reply
  6. DorthyM says

    May 17, 2011 at 9:12 pm

    What a sweet, special memory you have. Thank you for sharing it, Laura.

    Reply
  7. Tracy Compaan says

    May 17, 2011 at 9:28 pm

    Aww, this is such a great story, great legacy. I’m glad you shared this with us. Your mom must have been a very special person. Thank God for great moms, and especially glad you’ll see her again someday. :)

    Reply
  8. Courtney says

    May 17, 2011 at 9:43 pm

    Made me tear up, what a precious story.

    Reply
  9. Courtney says

    May 17, 2011 at 11:28 pm

    I love this story. What an awesome gift to be able to have a part of your mom still with you.

    Reply
  10. josette says

    May 18, 2011 at 1:39 am

    Now why did you have to share that wonderful story? I am all hormonal and crying….in a good way. God bless you.

    Reply
  11. Lynne says

    May 18, 2011 at 5:21 am

    What a precious story!

    Reply
  12. stacey says

    May 18, 2011 at 6:03 am

    what a wonderful story!

    Reply
  13. Rachel says

    May 18, 2011 at 6:10 am

    What a beautiful story and tribute to your mother! Now I want to try some BJ’s salsa! Can you buy this in New York? ;o)

    Reply
  14. Christy Martin says

    May 18, 2011 at 6:15 am

    Where can we buy your Mom’s Salsa? I’ve tried an online search but came up with nothing.

    Reply
  15. edith says

    May 18, 2011 at 6:26 am

    beautiful story. your mom must have been a very special lady and i’m glad she gave you to us. i too would like to know where to purchase her special salsa. (googling was a disaster!)

    Reply
  16. Beth (A Mom's Life) says

    May 18, 2011 at 7:09 am

    Thank you for sharing such a sweet story. What a lovely little piece of herself your mom has left for you all!

    Reply
  17. Andrea F. says

    May 18, 2011 at 7:13 am

    Thank you for sharing your sweet story. The timing was really perfect. My grandmother went to be with Granddad and Jesus yesterday afternoon. She was a fantastic person and an incredible baker. I have one of her apple pies in my freezer that she gave me a few weeks ago. It’ll be a while before I can enjoy it, but when I do, it’ll be a beautiful day of love and remembrance.

    Reply
  18. Gwen says

    May 18, 2011 at 7:38 am

    I have been reading your blog for sometime now and today I felt instantly closer to you! My mom was burdened with the horrible monster of ALS – December 2006 to October 2009. I like you, miss my mom terrible but so thankful that they have moved on and are in a far better place and am thankful we have such wonderful memories to sustain us! Hugs to you, thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  19. Annie L. says

    May 18, 2011 at 7:42 am

    What a sweet story!! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  20. MichelleH says

    May 18, 2011 at 8:19 am

    What a beautiful tribute. Thank you for sharing your sweet story.

    Reply
  21. Angela Alford says

    May 18, 2011 at 8:38 am

    Oh, I am crying like a baby now. Thank you for sharing this. Have you thought of re-maketing your mom’s salsa? My in-laws have a bbq sauce that they market themselves and it just barley breaks even each year but to them it is not about the invetment and I feel it would be that way for your family also. Just a thought.

    Reply
  22. Doreen Curry says

    May 18, 2011 at 8:38 am

    Echoing others who have said this is a precious story.

    I’m with Christy Martin on “Where can we buy your mom’s salsa?”

    Reply
  23. Darla says

    May 18, 2011 at 8:42 am

    Thanks for sharing the story of your mother’s salsa. I have shared with you in the past that my mother also died from ALS just one year before your mother. My mother’s greatest legacy was her faith in and love for the Lord, but she was an amazing cook as well and her recipes and memories of her delicious food are a great legacy as well. It is such a blessing that we can have these reminders of our beautiful mothers, Laura!
    Some enchiladas with BJ’s Salsa sounds pretty good to me right now! :)

    Reply
  24. Charlotte Moore says

    May 18, 2011 at 9:12 am

    Sweet story!!! I wonder if it is sold in GA????

    Reply
  25. Mel says

    May 18, 2011 at 11:13 am

    I often feel love from family and friends when they cook or bake for me – I am sure you feel that over and over!

    Reply
  26. Andrea says

    May 18, 2011 at 11:22 am

    So sweet! Thank you for sharing her story. What a precious gift to have!

    Reply
  27. April says

    May 18, 2011 at 12:28 pm

    I just loved this personal story. Thank you for all you do! Your mom would be so proud of you!

    Reply
  28. Christa says

    May 18, 2011 at 12:49 pm

    I can relate. My Nana was an amazing woman of 10 children who was always in the kitchen baking something with fresh ingredients from her garden. One of everyone’s favorites was her strawberry rhubarb pie. After she passed away we knew there were a couple left in the freezer. What a bitter-sweet pie.

    And mom lives on!! Go mom Go!!

    Reply
  29. Christa says

    May 18, 2011 at 12:49 pm

    I can relate. My Nana was an amazing woman of 10 children who was always in the kitchen baking something with fresh ingredients from her garden. One of everyone’s favorites was her strawberry rhubarb pie. After she passed away we knew there were a couple left in the freezer. What a bitter-sweet pie.
    And mom lives on!! Go mom Go!!

    Reply
  30. Sally says

    May 18, 2011 at 1:42 pm

    I have been hoarding my last few jars, too. We broke it out and had some w/ B’s parents last month. YUM!

    BTW, I totally think you should think about selling it again…maybe adding it to your online store. =)

    Reply
    • Laura says

      May 18, 2011 at 1:44 pm

      Totally thinking about it now, after reading responses to this post. I really was just writing this post because it’s a sweet story and because people often as for my salsa recipe, which I can’t share. I’ll have to talk to Dad about this to see what he thinks. Hey – will we see you next weekend?!!??! :)

      Reply
      • Laura E says

        May 18, 2011 at 11:57 pm

        I agree w/ Sally – you should sell the salsa on your website! I know I’d *love* to have some more :)

        Reply
      • Niki Nowell says

        May 19, 2011 at 1:13 pm

        YES Please! :) Love this story!

        Reply
  31. Sally says

    May 18, 2011 at 1:45 pm

    YES! We will be there Monday. Ran into Michele at the animal park yesterday…can’t wait to see all of you in a couple weeks!!

    Reply
    • Sally says

      May 18, 2011 at 1:46 pm

      oops, meant to make that a reply to your reply…LOL

      Reply
    • Laura says

      May 18, 2011 at 1:46 pm

      Can’t wait!

      Reply
  32. Emma Plae says

    May 18, 2011 at 2:53 pm

    I Live in Charleston,S.C. can you tell me were it’s sold

    found to

    Reply
  33. Mary says

    May 18, 2011 at 3:07 pm

    Wow. What a legacy for your family. What a neat tangible thing the Lord has given you to reach back and “touch” your mom again. To remember, taste, be proud, feel the love, all over again. It made me cry! I too have a salsa recipe I’ve made for 25 years that a friend gave me and everyone loves it. It looks very much like your jars when it’s canned. Maybe someday it will have these kind of memories associated with it too. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  34. april says

    May 18, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    Thanks for sharing this cherished memory with us. How neat to see BJ’s legacy and passion for good food honored in her daughter’s same gift for cultivating great recipes and great relationships at the same time.

    Reply
  35. Erin says

    May 18, 2011 at 8:07 pm

    Thank you for sharing such a special and personal story with us all. I’m so sorry that you lost your mother to ALS. That’s wonderful that you have a special recipe of your mother’s to treasure while keeping her memory in your hearts. My mother was diagnosed with ALS in June 2009, and is currently fighting the losing battle with that terrible disease. Little by little, I’ve been trying to collect recipes of hers that I don’t want to see disappear. She was a fantastic gourmet cook and baker, and I think that making these recipes for my family will add to the warm memories we all will have of her!

    Reply
  36. Theresa C says

    May 18, 2011 at 11:37 pm

    Truly wonderful story Laura :)

    Reply
  37. Jason Bonham says

    May 19, 2011 at 7:09 pm

    We remember the Salsa so well no other taste any better. We still wish we could get BJ’s Salsa :) Putting it back out on the shelves would be a good idea. She sure loved making it.

    Reply
  38. Cathy, Waxhaw, NC says

    May 24, 2011 at 7:44 am

    What a wonderful story to share with us all! And, seems your Mom will certainly live on through her Salsa!

    Reply
  39. Lisa says

    March 7, 2014 at 6:47 am

    I can personally attest to that salsa. I remember it heaping up on BJ’s pans on her stove. I think of her every time I get out a new jar of it. Miss her so much. Love you

    Reply

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