I'm getting a lot of peppers coming up right now and I have a lot of things I want to make with them (sauce, salse, jam/jelly, chili, candies, flakes/powders, breads, and whatever else I can think of). Unfortunately I don't have the hours every day to dedicate to cooking. So right now I've been freezing the ripe peppers I harvest that I can't use right away. So my question is: What can't I do with frozen peppers that I can with fresh ones? Would I be limited or can I make all the things on my list as time permits from frozen peppers?
Working with frozen peppers
- Thread starter Conwayhotpeppers
- Start date
As far as I know you can use frozen peppers in much the same way as you would fresh. They definitely go quite a bit more mushy when defrosted though.
You can basically do the same thing, just they wont have the structure that fresh ones have, as said, you got mush. If you want to keep the structure then dehydrate them, then reconstitute them when needed.
I figured the structure might no longer be there, I'm thinking the mush factor wouldn't be an issue in most applications.dragonsfire said:
Is this something you would want to have a more "crisp" pepper for? I was looking at specifically a spicy pecan brittle, hot pepper caramels, and a hot pepper hard candy (basically sugar and vinegar)hot stuff said:
Any pico de gallo type salsa would not fare as well (or other various uncooked salsas), or anything requiring a dice, and also if you wanted to pickle any you would want to pickle them fresh not from frozen or they would just break up to mush in the vinegar. Lastly, infused oils. Other than that you should be good to go.
If you want to do candy I find dehydrating them then powdering them works best, easy to integrate and no potential moisture issues.
salsalady
Business Member
if you want to dry the frozen peppers, thaw them in a colander to allow all the excess moisture to drain away. Or just be prepared for a whole lot of pepper juice in your dehydrator.
pepper jellies probably wouldn't work too well with frozen peppers unless they are well drained. I have not made jelly out of frozen peppers so i can't speak from experience. Dried chiles work in pepper jellies.
Frozen peppers probably wouldn't work for candied peppers (different than pepper candy). If you have a bit of time and want to try something different, try making candied peppers. I like using ripe peppers better than green peppers. Super fun! and super easy, just takes a bit of time.
Pickling is easy and quick. Several thread here on that topic, pickling should definitely be done with fresh peppers. If you have room in your fridge, you can cold pack the chiles in a vinegar brine and just let 'em sit.... I make a really popular pickled pepper medley with peppers (usually jalapeno or habanero) onion, garlic, carrot and cauliflower. You can pickle the peppers now, just get 'em in a gallon jar in the refer, and when you have time, add more vinegar brine and the other veggies and let 'em pickle up.
Lots of people have successfully fermented with frozen chiles.
Frozen chiles work just fine in any cooked/bottled sauce.
Have Fun and Enjoy the Bounty!!!
SL
pepper jellies probably wouldn't work too well with frozen peppers unless they are well drained. I have not made jelly out of frozen peppers so i can't speak from experience. Dried chiles work in pepper jellies.
Frozen peppers probably wouldn't work for candied peppers (different than pepper candy). If you have a bit of time and want to try something different, try making candied peppers. I like using ripe peppers better than green peppers. Super fun! and super easy, just takes a bit of time.
Pickling is easy and quick. Several thread here on that topic, pickling should definitely be done with fresh peppers. If you have room in your fridge, you can cold pack the chiles in a vinegar brine and just let 'em sit.... I make a really popular pickled pepper medley with peppers (usually jalapeno or habanero) onion, garlic, carrot and cauliflower. You can pickle the peppers now, just get 'em in a gallon jar in the refer, and when you have time, add more vinegar brine and the other veggies and let 'em pickle up.
Lots of people have successfully fermented with frozen chiles.
Frozen chiles work just fine in any cooked/bottled sauce.
Have Fun and Enjoy the Bounty!!!
SL
salsalady
Business Member
MikeUSMC said:Frozen chiles work fine for fruit based jellies. I do it all the time. I just mince 'em
Still haven't tried dried chiles in jelly, but I'll absolutely take Ann's word for it
Well, There You Go!!! Frozen peppers DO work in pepper jellies!
Thanks for posting, MikeUSMC,
salsalady
Business Member
AH! well, that is a bit different. A few frozen peppers added to a fruit jam/jelly would mix in just fine. I was thinking of some commercial pepper jellies I've tried that are more savory. A bit sweet but with things like bell peppers, onions, garlic, etc. Usually pretty clear where you can see the veggie bits. There are LOTS of different pepper recipes.
Good to know-
Good to know-
Peppers are fruit
Sounds like I have a lot of options. I'll do what I can as they keep coming up and freeze or pickle the rest (that seems quick and easy). I just didn't want any waste. I'm getting one of these (~1lb) every 4-5 days.
