And as snack foods go, they are one of the healthier options, with far less sugar and undesirable fats than many others, in addition to providing a serving each from the grain and fruit/vegetables group.
I used to buy salsa for our household when it was on sale, but as my boys grew and their appetites increased, they could go through a jar of it in no time flat, and it became a much rarer treat, due to its cost.
Then it occurred to me that I could probably make my own far more economically -- yes, even kitchen veterans like me can be a little slow to recognize cost-savings that are staring us in the face -- so I began to experiment with various recipes.