Monthly Archives: August 2020

Blackberry Jalapeno Pepper Jelly

My family loves pepper jelly of any kind. So I’m always looking for varieties to add to our pantry. When a neighbor brought me a ton of peppers, I started searching for a new recipe. My boys fell in love with this one….I witnessed one son add it to a sausage biscuit and another son ate it with peanut butter crackers!!!! This one may be their favorite yet!!

Ingredients:
7- 8 fresh jalapeno peppers
1 – large or two medium size green bell pepper, seeded
2 – cups frozen blackberries, thawed
2 – tablespoons lemon juice
1 – cup apple cider vinegar
3 – cups sugar
4 – 5- half pint canning jars with lids and bands

Directions:

Cut off the stems and remove the seeds from the peppers (I recommend wearing latex gloves while handling hot peppers). If you want a bit of a kick leave in half of the jalapeno pepper seeds.

Puree peppers using a food processor or high speed blender with cider vinegar until smooth.

In a large pot combine pepper puree with sugar.

Add the frozen blackberries to the blender or food processor and blend the blackberries with the lemon juice.

Add the blackberry pulp to the pepper purée and sugar. Bring the mixture to a full boil, reduce heat to a light boil and simmer, stirring frequently.

Remove from heat and skim off any foam (if any). Ladle into hot, sterile jar leaving 1/4 inch head space. Wipe rims with a clean cloth. Apply lids and bands and finger tighten.

Add jars to hot water bath and process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes.

My family loves to serve on crackers with softened cream or goat cheese as a snack or appetizer. And this is so easy to grab and go! When you are going to a family get together grab a jar of pepper jelly, a package of cream cheese and box of crackers and you are ready to go!!!

Cowboy Candy

When the men folk of the family love hot stuff and they love pickles you have to get creative to keep them on their toes…..introducing COWBOY CANDY. 

It is essentially a candied jalapeno  – a little sweet and as spicy as you like. You can use it any way you want – on pizza, on crackers, on sandwiches, let you imagination be the judge.

Yields 3 Pints

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Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds fresh firm, jalapeno peppers, washed
  • 2 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 6 cups white granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
  • 3 teaspoons granulated garlic (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional – for extra HEAT)

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Process:

  1. Wash the jalapenos, and take out as many seeds as you desire.  The more seeds you leave in, the hotter the Cowboy Candy.
  2. Slice into uniform 1/4″ circle slices.
  3. In a large stainless steel pot, bring apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, turmeric, celery seed, granulated garlic, and ground cayenne pepper to a boil.
  4. Once boiling, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. Add sliced jalapeno peppers to simmering mixture.  Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
  6. Using a slotted spoon, carefully skim out all jalapenos and transfer to empty jars using the funnel ensuring 1/4 in head space.
  7. Once again, turn up the heat on the pot with the remaining syrup and bring to a full boil. Boil hard for 5 minutes.
  8. Using a ladle, pour the boiling syrup over the jalapenos in the jars.
  9. Use debubbler to release any remaining bubbles. Add additional syrup if needed to maintain 1/4″ headspace.
  10. Wipe the rim of each jar with a damp cloth ensuring that the rims are clean.
  11. Place flat lid and screw band on jar and finger tighten.
  12. Place in a waterbath canner and boil for 15 minutes for pints or 10 minutes for half-pints.
  13. Allow 4 weeks before opening.img_1197