canning::marinated peppers

i could not resist the so good looking red peppers at our grocery store, in fact i had to buy a big bag of those red beauties. in my brains already seeing a few jars of marinated peppers on our kitchen counter!
a few years back we had the opportunity to bulk order peppers with the CSA, that's how i got started on canning peppers. it was a labor of love with those veggies... and now again a morning of work cut out for myself. back then i served the web and found a really good source on safe methods to preserve peppers, the university of california's division of agriculture and natural resources... here we go!


the peppers are all lined up with some water in the pan and shoved into the oven. i roasted them at high temperature. after that i set them aside in a big covered bowl for 15 minutes. pealing was a breeze after this proceeder.


we got the jars from the basement and of course they had to be stacked up. thea was totally into it and i just loved to watch her working on precision, she took them down and built them up again and again.
i love to have her see me work and getting involved herself. there is just so much learning going on, by allowing her to participate at her level in my work.


peppers all peeled and ready, in a second pot the vinegar, garlic, onions, spices and oil is being heated up to a rolling boil. this is the marinade it turns out bit different every time i do it. and that's ok, we love the fact of a little twist each time i get around to can peppers.


after filling the jars with peppers and the marinade, i carefully get rid of the air bubbles and loosely put the lid on the jars (the jars have been sterilized in the boiling water for a few minutes, including lids).
then i took the largest (widest) pot, put the filled glasses into the boiling water, up to the glas sholders) and let them sit on the stove top, boiling for 20 minutes.


oh yes, taking them out of the water and tightly closing the lids. you will year the lid pop inward as they cool. the vacuum is the essential part of sterilizing. if the vacuum is not "in the jar" the canned goods will spoil very quickly.
i'm happy with the result of a few small jars, they will be little gifts. and three bigger ones to consume in our house, very likely with polenta! this is a favorite of all in the house.