Cherry Pepper Poppers Recipes

MARINATED STUFFED CHERRY PEPPERS

Steps:

• Core out peppers by cutting a circle, at an inward angle, around the stem. Remove tops and scoop seeds and membranes out, like a tiny pumpkin.
• Cut thumbnail-size cubes of mozzarella, varying size a little bit to fit each pepper. Cut prosciutto slices in half. Wrap each half around mozzarella cubes and stuff into the open peppers.
• Pour olive oil into a jar or lidded container. Stir in Parmesan cheese, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, black pepper, and red pepper. Whisk together well.
• Add peppers to the oil mixture and seal the lid. Let marinate for 5 to 6 hours. Serve straight out of the jar.

CHERRY PEPPER POPPERS

Steps:

• Slice the tops off of the cherry peppers and carefully remove the seeds.
• Keep the peppers whole.
• Wrap a cube of the cheese with procuitto and stuff it into the pepper.
• If there is still room in the pepper, stuff in more proscuitto.
• Repeat with remaining peppers.
• Place all of the peppers into a jar.
• A 1 quart jar usually works.
• Sprinkle salt over peppers.
• Pour in olive oil to cover all of the peppers.
• Cover and let sit on counter top for 1 hour, then refrigerate.
• I usually let them chill for at least 5 days.

CHERRY PEPPER POPPERS

Steps:

• Using a paring knife, trim tops off peppers and cut out their centers, including seeds and veins.
• In a quart jar (or one just large enough to hold the peppers), combine vinegars and salt, and stir well to dissolve salt. Add oil, herbs and garlic.
• Cut cheese into cubes just large enough to fit into peppers. Wrap cheese cubes in prosciutto and stuff into peppers. Drop stuffed peppers into jar. If dressing does not cover peppers, top off with more oil. Cover jar, shake well and refrigerate overnight before serving. Poppers will last about a week in refrigerator.

PICKLED HOT CHERRY PEPPERS

Steps:

• Trim cherry pepper stems. Divide peppers, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns among 2 quart-size and 1 pint-size sterilized glass jars.
• Bring vinegar, water, sugar, and salt to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook until sugar dissolves. Pour hot pickling liquid over peppers, leaving 1/4-inch headspace at tops. Can in water bath for 15 minutes.

PICKLED CHERRY PEPPERS - CANNING

Steps:

• Sterilize 5 pint-sized canning jars, rings and lids by boiling them in a large pot for at least 10 minutes, making sure they are completely submerged.
• Rinse the cherry peppers thoroughly under cool running water, removing any visible dirt or debris. Trim the stem from each pepper with a small, sharp knife. You do not need to actually remove the stem; simply cut it down to a manageable size.
• Place the peppers into your sterilized jars. They should fill the jars most of the way, but don't forcibly stuff them inside. Add spices and garlic cloves to each jar.
• Put the vinegar, water, sugar, salt and sugar into a saucepan. Bring these ingredients to a gentle simmer and allow them to cook until the sugar and salt completely dissolve, about 5 minutes.
• Pour the vinegar mixture over the ingredients in each jar. Leave approximately 1/4 inch of air at the top of each jar. Wipe the rim of each jar with a paper towel, then put the lids and rings on the jars.
• Process the jars in boiling water for at least 10 minutes. You should do this with a water bath canner if possible. If not, fill a large pot with hot water, add the jars (which should be standing upright and fully submerged with 1 inch of water over the top of the lids), cover and bring the water to a boil for at least 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the hot water, allow them to cool, then check the seal by pressing on the top of each jar with a finger. If the top is slightly inverted and does not give when you press on it, the jar is properly sealed. Store properly sealed jars for several weeks before eating the peppers.