Pueblo chili pepper

I’m not willing to roast the Pueblo chilies in my garden because it is too much work for too little reward (I’ll buy a bushel already roasted). But I want to do something with them. What are the options for them? I thought they had to be roasted. I’d happily dice and can them if that were an option. I have Anaheims and jalapenos ready to can/freeze as well. Perhaps a medley?

Carol Elkins
Pueblo, Colorado

You can just can them up whole (seeded and stem removed and with slits cut in them) or dice them as you wish. They just taste better roasted! I usually cut the jalapeños into rings and pickle to use on nachos etc. — Jackie

Pressure canner gauges

A follow-up question on All American canners and pressure gauges. I live in a remote corner of our county. I called our county extension and they said they’ve never tested pressure gauges and wondered why everyone phoned them, asking about the service. They had no advice as to where I could get my gauges tested.

I live at 1,400 ft, so I need to pressure can at 11 lbs. I’m wondering if I can test my own gauge by adding water to my canner and seeing if the 10 weight jiggles as the gauge reaches 10 lbs. pressure, then re-testing it the same way for 15 lbs. I’d prefer to use the 11 lbs. for food processing to maintain quality, rather than relying on the 15 lb. weight and over-processing my food. What do you think?

Pat Sobrero
Covelo, California

I think this makes a lot of sense, Pat. As I’ve said, I’ve never had one of my gauges go inaccurate in all my years of canning but I guess it can and does happen to some folks. You can also try some other county extension offices. Maybe one of them could test your gauge? — Jackie

3 COMMENTS

  1. I have my canners tested annually by the Iowa Extension Service. Twice I’ve needed to replace gauges. If the gauge is only off a pound or two, they will tell you how to adjust your canning pressure rather than replacing the gauge. I can’t recall how “bad” the gauges were that needed to be replaced as its been a number of years ago.

Comments are closed.