Description
Sweet and spicy jalapeño cowboy candy delivers a punch of homemade preserve magic that tantalizes taste buds with sugary heat. Southern-style candied peppers create an irresistible condiment perfect for sprinkling on sandwiches, tacos, or enjoying straight from the jar.
Ingredients
Scale
Peppers:
- 1 pound (454 grams) fresh jalapenos, sliced
Sweetener:
- 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
Pickling Liquid and Spices:
- 1 cup (237 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for an extra kick)
Instructions
- Safeguard hands with protective gloves and slice jalapeños into uniform rings for consistent pickling, creating precise, even medallions that will absorb flavors evenly.
- Craft a vibrant syrup by combining sugar, vinegar, and aromatic spices like garlic powder, turmeric, celery seed, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan, heating until the mixture reaches a rolling boil and sugar completely dissolves.
- Gently introduce sliced jalapeños into the simmering syrup, allowing them to bathe for approximately 4 minutes, which softens their texture while maintaining a delightful crisp bite.
- Carefully ladle the peppered syrup and spicy jalapeño slices into sterilized glass jars, ensuring each container receives an equal distribution of peppers and aromatic liquid.
- Seal jars tightly and process in a water bath canner, submerging containers completely to create a proper preservation environment that ensures long-lasting, shelf-stable sweet and spicy peppers.
- Allow processed jars to cool completely at room temperature, listening for the satisfying pop of sealed lids, which indicates successful preservation of your cowboy candy.
Notes
- Wear protective gloves when slicing peppers to prevent skin irritation from capsaicin oils.
- Choose jalapeños with firm, smooth skin for the best texture and flavor in pickled peppers.
- Adjust heat levels by removing seeds and membranes for milder cowboy candy or keeping them for extra spiciness.
- Store jars in a cool, dark place to preserve flavor and maintain quality for several months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Pickling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg