I grew these! I don’t know if i’ll ever loose the wonder & excitement of growing my own food. I hope not!
If i had my druthers every meal i eat would have some sort of heat in it or on it. which means that it’s been a process for me to learn how best to save my chiles each year so that i can enjoy them throughout the winter months. travel worn chiles from whole foods in february just don’t have the same kick.
and if a chile’s not kicking than it’s hardly a chile at all. no? Honeyed cayenne chilesadapted from the joy of pickling by linda ziedrich
1 & 1/4 pound cayenne (or other) chiles, stemmed & sliced into no larger than 1/4 inch rings
1/2 teaspoon black or yellow mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon whole coriander seeds
5 whole cloves
5 whole allspice berries
3/4 quart apple cider vinegar
1 & 1/4 tablespoon honey
1 & 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 small garlic cloves, sliced
4 whole bay leaves (make sure they still smell like bay!)
12 black peppercorns
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 pint mason jars
yield: 2 pints
1. prepare canning pot and jars. no need to sterilize, but make sure jars get warm.
2. place mustard seeds, coriander seeds, allspice and cloves in a spice bag, tea ball, or tie in a small snitch of cheese cloth.
3. combine vinegar, honey, & salt in a medium sauce pan, add spice bag. bring to the boil. when just boiling, add sliced chiles and bring back up to a simmer.
4. take all four 1/2 pint jars out of the canner and place right side up on a towel. divide the garlic and peppercorns evenly between jars. fill each jar 1/4 of the way full with chiles and add one bay leaf to each jar, placing it against the side and tucking the tip into the chiles to steady the leaf against the side. add the rest of the chiles evenly between jars. pour in the vinegar mixture, filling each jar to just under a 1/2 inch head space.
5. slide a plastic knife, chopstick, or small spatula around the inside rim of jar, and tap it gently on the counter to loosen any air bubbles. drizzle 1 & 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil into each of the jars. wipe the rims clean with a wet paper towel and place the two piece lids on.
6. hot water bath process for 10 minutes.
You must wait to eat these pickles for three weeks.
I know, i know.
