Pickled Jalapeños With Mediterranean Flavors

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Explore the tangy and spicy world of homemade pickled jalapenos with a Mediterranean twist! This easy, yet flavorful recipe is a delightful way to use your surplus of jalapenos.

The bountiful harvests from my garden resulted in a surplus of jalapenos, pushing me to discover my very own recipe with a Mediterranean flair. Pondering how to make pickled jalapeños in a unique way led me down a path of experimentation. Beyond crafting jars of Shatta, and ensuring a stash in the freezer, a wealth of peppers remained. That’s when I decided to have a pickled jalapenos quick weekend marathon, introducing radishes, red onions, and cabbage to the mix.

Each jalapeno was delicately sliced, perfect for garnishing sandwiches or simply savoring as a flavorful bite. With my trusty serrated knife, I transformed them into uniform coin-like pieces, ensuring even pickling. A two-day journey in the brine, and voila, the result was delightfully flavorful jalapenos ready for the refrigerator.

The Art of Brine: Making the Perfect Pickled Jalapeños Recipe

A 5% vinegar brine is the foundational starting point. From there, flavor possibilities are endless. I diverged from the traditional dill and peppercorn duo, choosing a Mediterranean melody of dry za’atar and whole sumac berries. If you’re thinking of how to pickle jalapenos whole with a twist, this is the route to take! For those who can’t find za’atar or sumac, black pepper berries and dried thyme or oregano serve as excellent alternatives. The essence is to let these flavors meld over time – the longer, the better.

Why Grape Leaves are Non-negotiable in Your Recipe

To the uninitiated, the role of grape leaves in pickling, especially in this refrigerator recipe, might be puzzling. These leaves are tannin-rich, preserving the crunch of your pickled delights. If grape leaves elude you, bay or collard greens can fill in, ensuring that delightful crispness.

Controlling the Fire

Spice enthusiasts might wonder how to manage the heat levels. It’s all about seed control. Reduce the spiciness by controlling seed content, and always remember to glove up when dealing with jalapenos.

Using Pickled Jalapeños in Your Meals

Pickled jalapenos are versatile and can be added to many foods. They’re great in burgers, burritos, breakfasts, and even with carrots. Their spicy and tangy taste can make any dish better. If you’re a fan of pickling, you might also enjoy our pickled green tomatoes and pickled banana peppers recipes.

Heat Face-off: Fresh vs. Pickled Jalapeños

The pickling process mellows the fiery spirit of jalapenos. While they might pack a lighter punch compared to their fresh counterparts, pickled jalapenos compensate with a tangy depth, offering a unique flavor profile to any dish.

How to Make Pickled Jalapeños With Mediterranean Flavors

Preparation

1.
To prepare the brine, combine one cup of water and one cup of vinegar in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium heat.
Mark as complete
2.
Once boiling, turn off the heat, then add the sugar and salt to the mixture. Whisk until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved. Set it aside to cool down to room temperature.
Once the brine has cooled, begin preparing your jar. Ensure the jar is clean to avoid any unwanted bacteria spoiling your pickles.
Mark as complete
3.
Arrange four of the grape leaves at the bottom of the jar. Add the smashed garlic cloves, followed by the sumac berries and dry zaatar.
Add the thinly sliced jalapeno peppers to the jar.
Mark as complete
4.
Pour the cooled brine into the jar, completely covering the jalapenos.
Cover the jalapenos with the remaining two grape leaves.
Secure the jar's lid tightly and place it in the fridge. The pickled jalapenos should be ready to enjoy in two days.
Mark as complete

Ingredients:

1X 2X 3X
Adjust Servings
15 jalapeno peppers (washed dry and sliced thin)
15 sumac berries
2 tablespoons dry zaatar
2 garlic cloves (smashed)
6 fresh grape leaves
Brine:
1 cup water
1 cup white distilled vinegar 5%
4 tablespoons sugar or honey
2 ½ teaspoons pickling salt or kosher salt

Preparation

1
To prepare the brine, combine one cup of water and one cup of vinegar in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium heat.
2
Once boiling, turn off the heat, then add the sugar and salt to the mixture. Whisk until the sugar and salt are completely dissolved. Set it aside to cool down to room temperature. Once the brine has cooled, begin preparing your jar. Ensure the jar is clean to avoid any unwanted bacteria spoiling your pickles.
3
Arrange four of the grape leaves at the bottom of the jar. Add the smashed garlic cloves, followed by the sumac berries and dry zaatar. Add the thinly sliced jalapeno peppers to the jar.
4
Pour the cooled brine into the jar, completely covering the jalapenos. Cover the jalapenos with the remaining two grape leaves. Secure the jar's lid tightly and place it in the fridge. The pickled jalapenos should be ready to enjoy in two days.

Recipe Tips & Suggestions

Storing and Shelf-life of Pickled Jalapenos:

Ensure you always use a clean, airtight jar for storage to extend the shelf life of your pickled jalapenos. Once opened, keep your jar of pickled jalapenos refrigerated. They should stay fresh and delicious for up to 2 months. However, always check for any changes in color, smell, or if you see mold – these are signs that your jalapenos may no longer be good to eat. A well-sealed, unopened jar of pickled jalapenos can last up to a year in the refrigerator. Remember, the flavor deepens over time, making those later bites incredibly rich in flavor!

Some alternatives you can use in case you don't have access to sumac berries and za'atar:

For sumac berries: If you can't find sumac berries, lemon zest could be a decent substitute as it provides a similar tart flavor. You can use approximately 1 teaspoon of lemon zest for every 15 sumac berries. For za'atar: Za'atar blends thyme, sesame seeds, sumac, and salt. If you don't have za'atar, you can make your own blend using these ingredients. Alternatively, you can blend dried thyme and oregano for a similar herby flavor. Note: Remember that these are substitutions, and while they try to mimic the flavor profiles of the original ingredients, they may not taste exactly the same. The unique characteristics of sumac berries and za'atar contribute to the distinctive taste of this pickled jalapenos recipe. If you enjoy making this recipe often, consider sourcing these ingredients for the most authentic flavor.
rana

By Rana

Thanks for visiting my Mediterranean food blog and welcome to my virtual kitchen! Here, you’ll find mouth-watering, wholesome, and nutritious Mediterranean recipes that will change the way you view cooking.

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