So, my friends Christina and Therese have something of a green thumb and planted a garden this summer. Towards the end of the summer (maybe due to the ridiculous heat wave) their jalapenos decided to go all Christmasy on them and turned a pretty shade of red. I've enjoyed the "donations" of free produce this summer from their harvest so when they told me they had loads of red jalapenos for the taking, I was sure that I could do something with them (though at the time, I didn't know what.)
I took to looking online for various "pickle" recipes because one of the ways I like to enjoy a jalapeno (besides stuffed with cheese, breaded and deep fried in panko) is pickled. I came across this recipe that was intended for green jalapenos but I figured that for fun I'd give the red a shot. Here's the recipe that I used:
Jalapeno Bread and Butter Pickles
Now, one of the many things I WISH NOW THAT I HAD LEARNED FROM MY MOM WHEN I LIVED AT HOME (Mom, are you listening?) is canning. My mom was a Master Food Preserver (she had a framed certificate and everything) and I totally could have used her knowledge. Kind of like when she wanted to teach me how to sew and I didn't want to? Yeah, should have taken those little Pearls of Wisdom with me to college...funny that I ended up being a Home Eccy, right? Anyway, I digress...
I don't have the equipment to can and my cabinet space is starting to be become limited (I blame my addiction to cooking utensils, appliances and gear.) I needed to be able to utilize some of what I already had but still learn how to can in the process. I found this nifty little
Ball Home Canning Discovery Kit at my local Kroger for $11.00 and some change. (Amazon apparently has it for a higher price.) Its small and came with just enough jars for the project that I had in mind.
It was relatively "space-consuming" to do this (I'm talking counter space) but not a difficult procedure if you can follow directions. Here is the progression of my jalapeno canning fun (sans the picture of me de-seeding and de-veining--didn't want to whip out the 'ol camera during that part due to the transfer of stingability. Yeah. I think its a word. If not, I made it up just now.) Enjoy! I know I did!
The jalapenos and onions after being soaked and salted.
The "syrup" with all the spices in it.
"Cookin" the mixture.
Before the water bath.
The Finished Product!