In this article we will talk about the jalapeno pepper, which many sauces cannot do without. Including spicy jalapeno sauce. We will also tell you about the benefits and harms of this pepper. And of course we will give several marinades for it.
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What is a jalapeno pepper?
Jalapeno is a pepper native to Mexico. More precisely, from the city of Xalapa, after which it was named. This is one of the varieties of chili peppers. It grows for about four months, until the plant reaches a height of about a meter.
And each such plant can produce about 40 fruits. Jalapeños are harvested while they are still green, slightly unripe. Ripe red fruits are not so popular, but they are also used for food.
What does it look like
Varieties
- Peludo-peludo, the pepper is the most elongated, but at the same time the fruits are very thick-walled.
- Morita-morita, this pepper is just picked red and has a more rounded shape.
- Espinalteco-espinalteko, the fruits of this pepper are hotter.
- Meko-meko, the same variety that goes with chipotle. The fruits are medium-sized and, when ripe, have a very rich red color, closer to crimson.
What does it taste like
The taste of jalapeño is different from the chili we are used to. Although the jalapeno pepper is hot, its heat is milder and a little sweet. The aroma is peculiar, with a slight aroma of fruit. It can also be preserved in pickled form.
Composition and calorie content
Composition of BJU per 100 grams | |
Squirrels | 1 gr. |
Fats | 0.5 gr. |
Carbohydrates | 2 gr. |
Calorie content | 12 Kcal |
Jalapeño is rich in composition, it contains:
- Fatty acids – linoleic, linolenic, Omega-3 and Omega-6
- Vitamins A, B2, B6, S, E, R
- Minerals – phosphorus, selenium, iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, copper, sodium and calcium
- Amino acids, essential oils, capsorubin, chavicin, piperidine
- Antioxidants
How many Scovilles does it contain?
Depending on the type of pepper, it contains from 2500 to 8000 scoville. When asked what is hotter than chili or jalapeno, the question is not entirely correct. After all, jalapeno, as we already wrote, is one of the varieties of chili.
And if, for example, we take the Carolina Reaper chili variety, then on the Scoville scale it has from 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 units. And for example, “Bhut Jolokia Ghost Pepper” contains from 800,000 – 1,000,000.
The Scoville scale, of course, averages out the heat values, but overall it is clear that the jalapeno is not the hottest pepper.
Benefit
Jalapeño contains not only a healthy composition and low calorie content, but also brings considerable benefits to the body. The benefits of jalapeno are comparable to lemon, because it contains a large amount of vitamin C.
Pepper is also useful:
- Boosts immunity
- Has a beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves mood and helps fight depression
- Reduces cholesterol levels
- Normalizes metabolism
- Stimulates brain function
- Prevention for the visual organs
- Helps promote restful sleep
- Helps Digestion
- Positively affects skin and hair
- Strengthens bone tissue
- Has a preventive effect against Alzheimer’s disease
Harm and contraindications
Let’s not forget that jalapeno peppers are hot. Which leads to some cautions and caution when handling it. This also leads to some contraindications for consuming jalapenos.
List of possible harms and contraindications, as well as consequences of eating pepper:
- Stomach ulcer
- Heartburn
- Diseases of the genitourinary system
- Problems with the gastrointestinal tract
- Liver and kidney disorders
- Allergy to pepper or its composition
- Caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Diseases of the throat and mouth
We also recommend using disposable gloves when cutting peppers. After all, the sharpness remains on the fingers for some time, even after washing. And forgetting about this, you can scratch your eyes, which will lead to irritation of the mucous membrane.
Uses of jalapeno
Jalapeño peppers are still a healthy product and they are used not only for food.
In folk medicine
Of course, we are talking about Mexican folk medicine. Don’t forget about their love for spicy food. That is why they prepare an infusion with jalapeño, which they consume in small doses.
They also boil peppers in water and then use the decoction as a hair strengthener. And they even wash their faces with it to fight acne.
In cosmetology
Having these medicinal properties, jalapenos began to be used in modern cosmetology. Pepper extract began to be added to creams and skin care products.
They produce hair rinses and balms. They also make ointments to relieve pain after sprains and bruises.
In cooking
And of course, jalapenos are used in cooking. Mexicans add it to almost all dishes. From chili con carne to all kinds of nacho sauces.
It is put in salsa, stewed with vegetables, baked with meat and made into dipping sauces. They make pizza and bake bread with it, put it in tacos and burritos.
Some recipes for sriracha sauce also include jalapenos. They even make jam from it and cover it in chocolate. And of course they marinate, but more on that later, in the meantime, here’s the cocktail recipe.
What goes with it?
As you can understand, almost any food that can be spicy goes well with jalapenos. Meat, poultry, vegetables, baked goods, sausages and snacks all go well with jalapenos. As it turns out, chocolate can also go well with pepper.
How to replace jalapenos
The heat of the jalapeño is not strong, and you cannot find it, then we will teach you what type of pepper to replace it with. By the way, these are not very rare varieties and you can grow them in your garden.
- Red Lightning is less meaty than the jalapeño, but quite long and not very spicy.
- Thunder will also sing early and is practically no different from “Red Lightning”.
- Golden Lightning is a meatier variety of pepper with a wall thickness of about 6 mm.
These are the main varieties of mildly hot peppers similar to jalapenos. Of course, there are many more of them, but they have a thin wall and are no longer very similar to jalapenos.
Pickled Jalapeño Peppers
Finally it’s time to make pickled jalapeno recipes. Perhaps our most common snack made from this product.
Classic recipe
This recipe makes it easy to pickle jalapenos at home. The pepper will turn out just as good as store-bought, if not better!
We will need:
- Jalapeno – 500 g.
- Water – 250 ml
- Sol – 1 h. l.
- Sugar – 2 h. l.
- Vinegar 9% – 70 ml
How to do:
- Put the water on the fire and add salt, sugar and vinegar to it.
- Bring to a boil and wait for the dry ingredients to dissolve.
- At this time, cut the pepper into rings, from 5 millimeters to a centimeter thick (as you like).
- Add to the pans, wait for it to boil and turn off, leave to cool slightly for 10 minutes.
- Transfer to a jar and fill with brine to the top, wait at least a couple of days.
This recipe for canning jalapenos is perfect for the winter too. You just need to thoroughly sterilize the jars. The marinade itself can be used to add spice to sauces.
Sweet jalapeno
According to this recipe, the pepper turns out to be sweeter with a piquant taste, which is imparted by mustard and garlic. In this recipe we will use Dijon mustard.
We will need:
- Jalapeno – 500 g.
- Apple cider vinegar – 100 ml
- Honey – 1 tbsp. l.
- Dijon mustard – 1 tbsp. l.
- Water – 300 ml
- Sol – 1.5 h. l.
- Coriander in grains – 0.5 tsp.
- Black peppercorns – 0.5 tsp.
- Garlic – 2 cloves
How to cook:
- Place the saucepan on high heat and pour water and vinegar into it, add salt, honey and spices.
- Stirring, bring to a boil and the salt and honey are completely dissolved, at this time the coriander and pepper will give off their aromas to the marinade.
- We cut the jalapenos as in the previous recipe, crush the garlic with a knife or chop it a little, put everything in the pan.
- Add mustard, stir, bring to a boil and turn off, let stand for 10 minutes under the lid.
- Place in a jar and fill with marinade.
This homemade recipe can also be prepared for the winter and stored in the pantry or refrigerator. As you can see, this method of pickling jalapeno peppers for the winter is very simple.
Jalapeño more Mexican
This marinade recipe adds a special flavor to the herbs that are so popular in Mexican cuisine. In our recipe they are dry, they are easier to find, but you can also use fresh ones. Jalapeño peppers are very aromatic and spicy.
We will need:
- Jalapeno – 500 g.
- Water – 250 ml
- Sol – 1 h. l.
- Sugar – 2 h. l.
- Vinegar 9% – 70 ml
- Oregano – 0.5 tsp. l.
- Thyme – 0.5 tsp. l.
- Marjoram – 0.5 tsp.
- Garlic – 2 cloves
Cooking process:
- As usual, put the water on the fire, add all the ingredients to it, and wait for it to boil.
- Cut the peppers and garlic, put them in the marinade, bring to a boil, turn off.
- Leave for 10 minutes, transfer to a jar, and fill with marinade to the top.
- Mexican pickled jalapeno is ready!
There is another herb loved by Mexicans – cilantro. It can also be added to the marinade by mixing with parsley. In this case, it is better not to use oregano, marjoram and thyme.
These jalapeno peppers can also be pickled for the winter. In general, you can eat pickled peppers the next day.
How to select and store
Fresh peppers must be chosen, like all vegetables. It should be unbroken, whole and dense to the touch, without flaccidity.
When choosing pickled peppers, look at the composition. Apart from the pepper itself, salt, sugar, water and vinegar, there should be nothing in the composition. This is the key to a good manufacturer. You can find it in large hypermarkets, some even have their own production of jalapeno peppers.
You can store purchased pickled peppers for up to 3 years, everything should be indicated on the jar. Homemade peppers can definitely be stored for about a year; after opening, it is better to eat them within 2-4 weeks.