Cowboy Candy Recipe For Canning

CANDIED JALAPENO OR COWBOY CANDY

Steps:

• Wearing gloves, remove the stems from all of the jalapeno peppers. The easiest way to do this is to slice a small disc off of the stem-end along with the stem. Discard the stems.
• Slice the peppers into uniform 1/8-1/4 inch rounds. Set aside.
• In a large pot, bring cider vinegar, white sugar, turmeric, celery seed, granulated garlic and cayenne pepper to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add the pepper slices and simmer for exactly 4 minutes.
• Use a slotted spoon to transfer the peppers, loading into clean, sterile canning jars to within 1/4 inch of the upper rim of the jar.
• Turn heat up under the pot with the syrup and bring to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 6 minutes.
• Use a ladle to pour the boiling syrup into the jars over the jalapeno slices. Insert a cooking chopstick to the bottom of the jar two or three times to release any trapped pockets of air. Adjust the level of the syrup if necessary. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp paper towel and fix on new, two-piece lids to finger-tip tightness.
• *If you have leftover syrup, and it is likely that you will, you may can it in half-pint or pint jars, too. It's wonderful brushed on meat on the grill or added to potato salad or, or, or... In short, don't toss it out!
• Place jars in a canner, cover with water by 2-inches. Bring the water to a full rolling boil. When it reaches a full rolling boil, set the timer for 10 minutes for half-pints or 15 minutes for pints.
• When timer goes off, use canning tongs to transfer the jars to a cooling rack. Leave them to cool, undisturbed, for 24 hours. When fully cooled, wipe them with a clean, damp washcloth then label.
• Allow to mellow for at least two weeks, but preferably a month before eating. Or don't.

RECIPE FOR CANDIED JALAPENOS (AKA COWBOY CANDY)

Steps:

• Rinse jalapenos well then slice them into about 1/8-1/4 inch slices. Place in a bowl and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan combine vinegar, sugar, celery seed, cayenne pepper, mustard seed, and turmeric. Bring this mixture to a full rolling boil. Then immediately reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for 6 to 7 minutes. Be sure to stir it frequently.
• Now add the sliced jalapenos to the saucepan. Turn the heat back to high and bring it to a rolling boil. Now reduce the heat to low/medium again and allow it to simmer for about another 6 to 7 minutes.
• While that is simmering, put your pint canning jars and lids in the water bath canner. This is to sterilize them. After a minute or two, remove the jars and lids and place on a dish towel. You always want to be sure to work with sterile canning jars.
• Now use a large slotted spoon to transfer the jalapenos to the canning jars. Be sure to make them as equal as you can. While regular jars will work, wide mouth jars make it easier to pack the jars.
• After you remove the peppers from the pot, turn the heat back to high to thicken the brine into a syrup. This should take about 5 minutes.
• Now distribute the hot brine syrup between the jars. You want to make sure to cover the peppers completely but allow 1/2 inch headspace.
• After you have the jars full, remove any air bubbles, wipe rims with a damp paper towel or cloth. Then place lids on and then rings. You want the rings to be finger tight. Place jars in a hot water bath or large pot of boiling water and can for 12 minutes. You want to make sure you have enough water in your canner. The water should cover the jars by about two inches.
• After 12 minutes, remove the jars carefully and allow them to cool on a towel for about 8 to 12 hours.
• After cool check out seals and if everything is sealed (that is when the top center can't be pushed in) you can store in a cool place for up to one year.

COWBOY CANDY | CANNING CANDIED JALAPENO PEPPERS

Steps:

• Wearing gloves, slice jalapeno peppers into 1/4-inch rounds, set aside. For even cuts use a mandolin.
• In a large non-reactive stockpot bring to boil apple cider vinegar, sugar, turmeric powder, celery seed, and garlic.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add jalapeno peppers and allow to simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, scoop jalapeno peppers into half-pint jars.
• Bring the remaining brine to a hard boil for another 5 minutes. Using a ladle, add hot brine to the jars, leaving a 1/4-inch headspace.
• Remove air bubbles, wipe jar rim, add warmed lids and rings.
• Process in a hot water bath or steam canner for 15 minutes. Adjust the processing time for altitudes above 1,001 feet in elevation.

CANNED COWBOY CANDY

Steps:

• Begin by heating cleaned jars in simmering water in your canner until you are ready to use them.
• Removing the stem end of the pepper, cut either rounds or smaller chunks of jalapeno for canning. (See notes!). Set aside.
• In a heavy bottomed pot, add the vinegar and sugar. Heat to a boil, add the celery seed. Be sure the sugar in the brine is dissolved.
• Carefully add the peppers into the brine and stir. Let the mixture come back to a boil and boil hard for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, get your jars ready. Take your jars from the water canner. (keep this water simmering!) Set your lids and rings aside.
• When the 5 minutes are up, carefully transfer the peppers into the jars. Turn the heat up again on the brine left in the pot and boil for another 5 minutes. Carefully ladle the boiling brine over the peppers in the jars, leaving a 1/2" headspace at the top. (See notes!!!!)
• Wipe the rims of the jars with a vinegar dampened cloth or towel to remove any particles that might prevent a good seal.
• Place the lid and the ring on the jar and tighten finger tight.
• Place the jars into the water canner. Bring the water up to a boil and then start timing for 15 minutes, adjusting for your altitude. When 15 minutes are up, turn off the heat and leave the jars in the water for another 5 minutes.
• Carefully remove the jars with a jar lifter and set them on a towel lined counter to catch water droplets. Leave them to cool for 24 hours without disturbing the jars.
• As the jars are cooling, it's perfectly normal to hear the lids 'ping' to indicate they are sealing. Sometimes they won't ping, and that's ok. As long as there is no give in the lid when you press down on it after the jar has cooled for 24 hours, you're good to go!
• In the event that a jar did not seal, place it in the fridge to use first. Let the cowboy candy rest for at LEAST two weeks before consuming, and a month would be even better. Keep this timeline in mind when making gifts!!