Canning Whole Serrano Peppers Food

HOW TO PRESERVE HOT PEPPERS IN VINEGAR- EASY RECIPE

Steps:

• Clean the jars.
• The jars need to be sterilized by boiling them for 10 minutes in a pot of water on the stove.
• Wash and clean the hot peppers. Remove leaves, dirt and any bad peppers.
• When the sterilizing time is up, remove and drain hot sterilized jars one at a time.
• Fill the jars with peppers, as many as they fit tight inside.
• Pour vinegar over them to fill up the jars. Add lids, and tighten screw bands.
• Great with soups or as a condiment in stews. They last in a cool place for years.
• The peppers need to sit in vinegar for at least one month before they are ready to be consumed.

PICKLED SERRANO PEPPERS

Steps:

• Make sure to start with clean jars and lids.
• In a saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups of water with vinegar, sugar, salt, bay leaves, garlic, and spices. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• While the brine is simmering, wash your peppers and pierce each one in a few places with a knife. Pack peppers into jars.
• Ladle hot brine over peppers, filling each jar completely with liquid. Put lids on jars and let cool. When jars have cooled, place in refrigerator.
• Pickled peppers will be ready to eat in about a week and will continue to improve in flavor as they sit.
• These pickled peppers must be stored in the refrigerator.

CANNING PEPPERS (HOT OR SWEET)

Steps:

• Wash peppers before beginning.
• Roast peppers on all sides to blister the skin, using either a grill, stovetop burner or oven broiler for 8-10 minutes. A grill outdoors is my preferred method.
• After roasting, place peppers on a tray under a damp towel for about 15 minutes. This will help the skins slip.
• Remove the towel and slip the skins of the peppers. Be sure to use gloves for hot peppers. Working under running water in the sink helps the skins slip easier.
• Use a sharp paring knife to cut around the stem of each pepper and remove the stem, seed and core of each pepper. For hot peppers, simply cut off the top of each pepper and then remove the seeds. (Again, gloves are important here for hot peppers!)
• Pack the peppers into prepared canning jars, either as whole peppers, slices or dices. For whole peppers, smash the pepper flat before sliding it into the jar (3-4 whole peppers per pint). Be sure to leave 1 inch headspace.
• Prepare a pressure canner according to the manufacturers instructions. This usually means adding 2-3 inches of water to the bottom of the canner and bringing it up to a simmer with the bottom trivet in place.
• Bring a kettle of water to a boil on the stove and fill jars with boiling water, maintaining 1 inch headspace. De-bubble jars, adjust headspace, wipe rims and seal with 2 part canning lids to finger tight. Load into a preheated pressure canner.
• Place the lid on the pressure canner, but do not start bringing it up to pressure. Allow steam to vent for 10 minutes before adding the canning weight and bringing the canner up to pressure (see notes for pressure).
• Once at pressure, process jars for 35 minutes. Canning in pints or half pints is acceptable, but don't use quarts or larger jars. Be sure to maintain pressure for the entire process time, and if the canner drops below pressure, re-start the timer.
• Once the jars have processed at pressure for 35 minutes, turn off the heat and allow the canner to cool completely before removing the jars. (Don't ever attempt to rapid cool a pressure canner.)
• When cool, remove the jars and check seals. Store any unsealed jars in the refrigerator for immediate use. Properly processed and sealed jars should maintain quality on the pantry shelf for 12-18 months.

PICKLED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Cut 2 small slits in each pepper. Dissolve salt in 4 quarts water. Pour over peppers; let stand 12 to 18 hours in a cool place. Drain; rinse and drain thoroughly. , In a Dutch oven, combine the vinegar, sugar, garlic and remaining water; bring to a boil and simmer 15 minutes. Remove garlic. Pack peppers into hot pint jars, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Carefully ladle hot liquid over peppers, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles with a non-metallic utensil. Adjust lids. Process 10 minutes in a boiling-water canner.

GIARDINIERA

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, combine vinegar, sugar, water, canning salt, oregano and fennel seed. Bring to a boil. Add cauliflower, carrots, celery and onions; return to a boil. Remove from heat; add peppers., Carefully ladle hot mixture into 10 hot 1-pint jars, leaving 1/2- in. headspace. Add a bay leaf and 2 peppercorns to each jar; divide garlic slices among jars. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding more hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight. , Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 10 minutes. Remove jars and cool.