DAY’S PEPPER JELLY WITH LIME & CILANTRO

Gary Day, Somerset, CA

 

This jelly goes well with beef or lamb, and is excellent as an appetizer when spread on crackers with cream cheese.

 

12 red Jalapeno peppers, stems & seeds removed and coarsely chopped

2 large Red Bell Peppers, stems & seeds removed and coarsely chopped

8 tbsp fresh Cilantro, finely chopped

1/3 cup fresh lime juice (about 3 limes), but bottled juice can be used

2 cups apple cider vinegar (reserve ¼ cup for puree)

6 cups sugar

1 tsp garlic salt

10 drops red food coloring

6 oz liquid Pectin (Certo)

 

For mild heat, de-stem and remove seeds from Jalapeno peppers and Bell peppers. For a hotter heat, leave some seeds from a few of the hot peppers. Serrano peppers will make it hotter yet.

 

Place the chilies and peppers in a blender with ¼ cup of the vinegar, and pulse the blender on and off until peppers are medium to finely chopped.

 

In a saucepan, combine the remaining vinegar, the pepper puree, and bring to a boil over high heat. Boil rapidly for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

 

Remove saucepan from heat, and stir in the sugar, lemon juice, and garlic salt.

 

Return the pan to heat and bring back to a boil. Stir in the pectin and food coloring, and bring back to a boil again….stirring for about 1 minute.

 

Shut off heat, and fold in the chopped cilantro.

 

Ladle into hot sterilized jars (small jelly size), and process in a boiling-water bath canner for 10 minutes, adjusting for altitude.

 

After about 30 minutes of cooling, invert jars a few times to distribute peppers/cilantro evenly before the jelly completely sets.

 

Fills 6-8 small jelly jars

 

Option: Use all green Jalapeno and Bell peppers with 10 drops of green food coloring for a green pepper jelly. (If fresh Jalapeno peppers are not available, substitute 2 (4 oz) cans diced jalapeno peppers and add ½ tsp cayenne pepper).

 

 

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