Canned jalapeños

I can a lot of jalapeños. First how long will they last? In some of my jars I added a little oil. In some of my jars I notice a black looking stuff floating around. It won’t mix with vinegar and water. Really not sure if they are good. The ones I have now are all one year old. I don’t add oil anymore.

John Leatherwood
San Antonio, Texas

Properly canned jalapeños will last for years and years. I don’t know how you canned yours, so I can’t say what’s black and floating in your jars. Did you pickle them or can them with water for liquid? I wouldn’t advise using oil in canning as it can cause the seal to fail. — Jackie

Fermenting foods

My question concerns fermenting foods. I keep reading that it is very, very healthy. The only fermenting I have done is making kimchi for my partner. Have you done any, especially things like kefir and kombuchu? If you have, what do you think about the health benefits? I can’t stand how it smells, but James says that kimchi on hot dogs and hamburgers is the best!

I found a question from a reader. She asked if it is possible to can kimchi. I have been doing some reading about fermenting foods, and the experts say that you cannot can it. On the other hand, our local, very authentic Asian markets sell it in jars. It is not nearly as aromatic as home made; think that canning it ends the fermentation process, and probably the health benefits too.

Barb Mundorff
North Royalton, Ohio

I truly believe fermented foods such as kimchi, sauerkraut, and kefir do have health benefits. I made kimchi for my adopted Korean kids. I made it outside because I can’t stand the smell either. It tastes great but, boy, does it stink!

I’m glad you found the kimchi recipe in my book. I know you can buy canned kimchi but have never canned it myself nor can I find processing times for it. — Jackie

Pickling spices

I can’t find anywhere what exactly pickling spices are comprised of. I am trying to do pickled eggs. I have looked in all sorts of old cookbooks, but they usually list different ingredients but not grouped as pickling spices.

Jennifer Grant
Reedsburg, Wisconsin

Pickling spices are a commercial mixture. It varies with the maker. Generally, these spices are included: mustard seed, whole cloves, whole peppercorns, bay leaf, whole allspice, and sometimes hot red pepper bits. — Jackie

2 COMMENTS

  1. I think the black from the canned jalapenos is a natural property of the jalapenos. When I have opened the large cans of jalapenos there is a lot of it floating free. I think it’s part of the volatile oil that makes them hot.

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