IN THE KITCHEN
Preserve peppers and chillies for winter
Members of the Capiscum family can be most rewarding to grow and a smallholder can use various methods to preserve the generous harvest of peppers and chillies for use out of season. Nowadays there is a much greater variety of peppers, but most of them can be preserved using the
Dried chillies on a string... attractive kitchen sight
same methods. Bell peppers are eaten when they are still green or they are left to ripen, turning yellow or red. A popular way to preserve them is to roast them whole. Roasting kills any enzymes in the peppers that might deteriorate them over time, as well as softening and sweetening the peppers and getting rid of the indigestible skins. Roast or grill whole peppers until they begin to blacken on all sides, turning them frequently with tongs. When the skin is well blistered with some black spots, quickly move the hot peppers to an empty pot with a tight-fitting lid, and let them steam there for fifteen minutes. Most of the skins will slip off after the peppers cool. When cut into strips and frozen, you have succulent roasted peppers for winter dishes. Roast peppers can also be preserved in sterilised jars with a little salt, vinegar and oil. If you want to freeze the peppers whole it is best to blanch them by placing them in boiling water for a minute and then iced water for another minute, drain them and pat them dry with paper towel. When they are cool put them in freezer bags, label and freeze. Peppers can be stuffed before freezing, then reheated in the oven when partially thawed. Slices of pepper can be dried in a drier, although chillies are better for drying. Peppers also pickle well, either sliced or whole. Using different coloured peppers makes an attractive product. Wide-mouthed Consol jars will be best, otherwise use whatever jars you have, as long as the pepper will fit into them. Sterilize the jars by pouring a small amount of water into each and then heating them in the microwave for five minutes. Leave them to drain upside down in a warm oven. Wash the peppers and slice
Continued on page 49
48 www. sasmallholder. co. za