Can you substitute cayenne peppers for jalapenos in salsa?

I'm a little scared to buy jalapenos right now, but would like to make some salsa.  Can you substitute cayenne peppers (which I grew) for the jalepenos or would it make the taste too different?  Have any of you tried it?  I also have some tobasco peppers.

I use a combination of them. Is there a local farmer's market you could buy the peppers from?

I would think you could use whatever peppers you wanted in salsa.  Just be aware of the different heat values of peppers - you could end up with a much hotter salsa that you want!!  Google the Scovill scale - tells you the heat value of peppers.  For example, a jalapeno pepper is 2,500 - 3,000 Scovill units and a cayenne pepper is 30,000 - 50,000 units.

Peachy, I wish I lived near enough to you to share - we have jalapenos in our garden!  and I know they are safe.

I guess it would be ok to use a different pepper -

Would you share your recipe?

Cayenne peppers are WAY hotter then jalapeños and have a much different flavor.  As long as buy locally grown jalapeños you should be fine.  Also keep in mind that you are processing these peppers - cooking them will kill bacteria.

Also wash the peppers when you get them

 purchase canned or jarred jalapeno slices to add to your salsa....

I guess you could also use Pasilla or Anaheim peppers....but they are milder than a jalapeno.... 

peachygirl_GA:

you substitute cayenne peppers (which I grew) for the jalepenos or would it make the taste too different? 

You can use them... if you have a death wish. On the Scoville heat scale, Cayenne Peppers are a killer 30,000–50,000 units, compared to a Jalapeño which is only 2,500–8,000 units. If you're that worried, you may still safely substitute either canned or pickled Jalapeño peppers.

For fresh ingredients, I would use Poblano, passilla or Anaheim peppers. They are somewhat less hot than the Jalapeño, but taste great in salsa without being too hot or overpowering.

I think I will just use some jalapenos in a jar instead of the cayenne.  I did buy some serrano peppers today but I don't think they are as hot as jalapenos.

Serrano peppers are a little hotter then a jalapeño but they will make a fine substitute.I wouldn't try the canned jalapeños .They taste vinegary to me and I only like them on sandwiches.