Getting Off The Grid - Its Pepper Time

This year my garden did not make it so I took what the land had to give me naturally, and the gifts of friends, and added to the home canned stockpile.

The past week it was peppers, mostly Jalapeño peppers, I did five pints of whole green pickled, one half pint of sliced and then I went out of my comfort zone, I made my own red hot sauce. (think of Frank`s or Texas Pete) It was easier than I thought it would be, I got two liters, and the dried peppers I picked are now hanging for next years seed.

Home canning any peppers has been easy for me and I was taught how to do this back when I was just 13 years old. So, Here I will share with you how I can mine.

Always clean your jars with soap and water, then sterilize them. I heat my lids and seals in boiling water and keep them hot. 

I use pints for whole and half pints for sliced.

Pickled Peppers

I wash the peppers, making sure no dirt is on them. 

I pack the jars with the peppers leaving 1 inch head space.

In a large stainless steel cooking pot I add:

1 part water

1 part vinegar

1/2 teaspoon canning salt to each jar

1 tablespoon sugar to each jar

With this recipe you can make one jar or 12 jars. 

Red Hot Sauce

Wash the peppers to make sure they are clean of any dirt.

Put on steady plastic gloves! Make this in a well ventilated area!

You will Need :

25 red jalapeño peppers - chopped

1 small onion chopped

5 cloves of garlic or 7 teaspoons of minced garlic

2 tablespoons of lime juice

2 teaspoons of canning salt

1 teaspoon of paprika

1/4 cup sugar

Slice off the ends of each pepper and chop in a couple pieces, it doesnt have to be pretty. Chop onion.

Put all ingredients  in a large stainless steel cooking pot, bring to a boil, Lower the temp and cover, allowing a slow boil for 20-30 minutes, the peppers will be soft.

Set off the heat and allow to cool.

In a food processor, or blender, puree till smooth. 

Use a mesh screen to remove the seed, pouring through into a large glass or plastic bowl.

Pour your hot sauce into jar of choice, using hot lids, and process to seal, using a water bath.

This made 1 liter.

NOTE :

If the consistency is to thick, add a little vinegar at a time till its just right for you.

There! Do you think you will make your own pickled peppers or red hot sauce? 

That is what is going on at my homestead, what is happening on yours? 

By Andria Perry

Photos - Pixabay