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Pickled Jalapeños (Mediterranean-Style with Za’atar & Sumac)
Rana Madanat
September 12, 2022
Transform your jalapenos with this delicious pickling recipe. Infused with the distinct flavors of za’atar and sumac, these pickled jalapenos will be your new favorite addition to any dish.
Type of Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Prep Time: 15 minutes.
Cook Time: 0 minutes
How Many Servings?
2 Jars / pint- size jar
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 filtered water | |
| 1 cup white distilled vinegar 5% | |
| 4 tablespoons sugar or honey | |
| 2 ½ teaspoons pickling salt or kosher salt |
Preparation
1
Start with the Brine
In a small saucepan, combine the water and vinegar, and bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat. Once it reaches a boil, turn off the heat and stir in the sugar and salt. Whisk until fully dissolved, then set the brine aside to cool to room temperature. While the brine cools, prepare your jar. Make sure it’s clean and dry—this helps prevent any unwanted bacteria from spoiling your pickles.
In a small saucepan, combine the water and vinegar, and bring it to a gentle boil over medium heat. Once it reaches a boil, turn off the heat and stir in the sugar and salt. Whisk until fully dissolved, then set the brine aside to cool to room temperature. While the brine cools, prepare your jar. Make sure it’s clean and dry—this helps prevent any unwanted bacteria from spoiling your pickles.
2
Slice the Jalapeños
Put on kitchen gloves before handling the jalapeños to protect your hands from lingering heat. Using a sharp knife or mandoline, slice the peppers into thin, even rounds—about 1/8-inch thick. This helps them pickle quickly and evenly.
Put on kitchen gloves before handling the jalapeños to protect your hands from lingering heat. Using a sharp knife or mandoline, slice the peppers into thin, even rounds—about 1/8-inch thick. This helps them pickle quickly and evenly.
3
Layer the Flavor
Place four grape leaves at the bottom of a clean glass jar. Add the smashed garlic cloves, then sprinkle in the sumac berries and dry za’atar. Pack the sliced jalapeños into the jar, pressing down gently to make room if needed.
Place four grape leaves at the bottom of a clean glass jar. Add the smashed garlic cloves, then sprinkle in the sumac berries and dry za’atar. Pack the sliced jalapeños into the jar, pressing down gently to make room if needed.
4
Pour, Cover & Chill
Pour the cooled brine into the jar, making sure the jalapeños are completely submerged. Lay the remaining two grape leaves over the top to help keep the peppers pressed down and crisp. Seal the jar tightly with a lid and place it in the fridge. Let the jalapeños pickle for at least 2 days before enjoying—the flavor gets even better the longer they sit!
Pour the cooled brine into the jar, making sure the jalapeños are completely submerged. Lay the remaining two grape leaves over the top to help keep the peppers pressed down and crisp. Seal the jar tightly with a lid and place it in the fridge. Let the jalapeños pickle for at least 2 days before enjoying—the flavor gets even better the longer they sit!
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.