Cowboy Candy | Candied Jalapenos To Warm The Soul

There is a special place in our hearts here at the Wilderstead for Cowboy Candy. This stuff is very addictive, which has lead to its nickname: Coyote Crack. We add these candied jalapenos to just about everything that could use a little spice and a little sweetness. In particular, our fish tacos just aren’t the same without it.

Every time we make these, we end up with a little extra of the syrup which we can up as well so it doesn’t go to waste. This syrup is sweet and spicy, and makes a great addition to dips, stir fries, and for marinating meat. There really is almost endless uses for the syrup, and we’d be interested in hearing what you come up with.

Cowboy Candy/Candied Jalepenos ~ Recipe

Ingredients:

1. 3 lbs garden fresh Jalapeno Peppers

2. 2 Cups Apple Cider Vinegar

3. 6 Cups white sugar

4. 1/2 tsp turmeric

5. 1/2 tsp celery seed

6. 3 tsp garlic powder

7. 4-6 half pint jars, snap lids and rings for canning

Preparation:

1. Wearing gloves, slice your peppers to 1/4 inch slices and place in a bowl.  Discard the stem ends of the peppers.

2. In a large, non reactive pot, bring vinegar, white sugar, turmeric, celery seed, powdered garlic to a boil.

3. Reduce the heat and allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes.

4. Raise the heat again and return to a boil. Add the pepper slices.  The mixture will cool, so return it to boil.  Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat again and simmer for 4 minutes.
   

1. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the peppers only into your canning jars 1/4 of an inch headspace.

2. With the sauce that is left in the pot, turn up the heat again and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for a full 6 minutes.

3. Using a ladle, pour the boiling hot syrup mixture into the jars on top of the jalepeno slices keeping 1/4 inch head space in the jar.

4. Remove any air bubbles in the jars using a chopstick.  Wipe the jar rims with a damp towel and prepare the lids and rings for the canner.

5. Any leftover syrup can be put in jars and canned alongside the peppers.  The syrup is great to brush meat with, add to stir frys, etc.  Basically anywhere you want a bit of sweet heat.

6. Place the jars into your canner, covered with two inches of water.  Bring the canner up to a rolling boil, set your timer for 10 minutes and let the magic happen. Learn everything you need to know about safe canning practises with Bernardin Home Canning