jalapeno peppers

[Lottie]

Much to my amazement, I've got loads of the lil critters and I'm wanting to plop them into brine like you buy in them there shop places...but I'm not sure how? Do you have to do anything to them first? And what's the proportion of salt to water with brine? and.. and... help?

[Hathorite]

You pretty much can them like any other pickle - which means either a pressure cooker or water bathing or something similar.

Me, I don't have the stuff to do canning, so I just plunk my peppers into the oven on very very low heat for about 12 hours. Yes, expensive on the ol' electric bill, but drying them I find works just as well. Conversely, you could even try smoking them if you have a bbq. Peppers are versatile!

Hopefully someone can help you a bit more than I on the canning thing!

[Lottie]

So sorry for the late reply.... been one of them there months...

I managed to find a recipe for brine which I know I put somewhere... and have managed to cram 3 jars full of them

I'm now drying loads of the hottest ones I grew, and the teeniest... they're called Numex Twilight.. and they are evil, I tell you evil!!! and Purple Anheim, slightly evil, Pinnochio's nose ones are now turning lovely red.. also slightly evil, but more in a kinda "led astray" way, probaly by the truly evil Numex.. little vipers..

I noticed a Chilli Nursery on the way to Norwich skating last week, I must pop in and try some more, I do believe I have a new obssession....

[Adrian]

I have been pickling my chillis

3 parts white vinegar, one part water, one tablespoon picking salt and bob is your mothers brother...

[Wilhelm Von Rhomboid]

There is some debate as to whetehr you can bottle peppers in oil safely, but i have been doing it for years with no ill effects. Put a slit in the side of each pepper so the oil can penetrate to the interior.

Also you can pop the peppers covered with oil in the oven for 20-30 mins on a low-med heat, then stuff with pesto before finishing the bottling.

[Lottie]

I have been pickling my chillis

3 parts white vinegar, one part water, one tablespoon picking salt and bob is your mothers brother...

That's the one, AJ! Clever bunny

I hope oil is OK, Billy, I've been bunging dried toms in olive oil too...

[Compostwoman]

Just in case anyone was wanting to read the pros and cons of peppers, garlic, tomatoes in oil...

here

is the link to the thread where it was discussed, before.