I am sure you have been in a situation where you thought to yourself; what to do with lots of fresh jalapenos? Thankfully, there are many recipes to use and even storage ideas if you aren’t going to use them immediately! These delicious jalapeno recipes will make your heart sore and your mouth water.
First, though, we are going to take a look at what jalapenos are and get a better understanding of them. There are so many health benefits and uses for jalapenos that will surprise you! These hot peppers are packed with flavor, heat, and nutrients to keep you going.
What Are Jalapenos?
So, what exactly are jalapenos, and what to do with lots of fresh jalapenos? First, jalapenos are a pepper that has a mild heat level. Although they do many people pucker up, they are less hot and spicy than a cayenne or serrano pepper.
Jalapenos are green peppers that grow from white flowers. There are many varieties and they are surprisingly resilient and tough plants. These peppers have a thin outer layer, which makes them perfect for eating raw and cooked. Usually, there is no need to cut or peel away the outer layer of a jalapeno.
As they grow, jalapenos can grow up to 6 inches long, but only usually reach 3.5 inches in length. These mild and lovable peppers are a vibrant green, but they ripen to a red or deep purple. Once they start to ripen and dry, a smoky and almost chocolate-like flavor hints inside of the pepper.
Did you know that there are health benefits of jalapenos? These health benefits of eating fresh jalapenos are sure to make you wonder What to Do with Lots of Fresh Jalapenos! For one, they are a good source of vitamin C!
How To Store Jalapenos
Now, how do you store jalapenos? This really depends, the fresher they are, the more time they need to fully ripen! I recommend leaving out your jalapenos for up to a week. When you place jalapenos in the fridge, before cutting and preparing them, the added moisture weakens the structure.
However, once you cut a jalapeno and the outer layer is no longer protecting the inside, you need to place the jalapeno slices and leftovers in a container! This container needs to have an airtight cap so that excessive air does not come in. Use within two to three days as the texture does change drastically.
What To Do With Lots Of Fresh Jalapenos
When you have a lot of extra and fresh jalapenos, it is okay to sit and think about what to do with lots of fresh jalapenos. With so many, if they are not used or stored properly, they can go bad! Who wants to lose money and fresh food like that?
Thankfully, listed below are five ideas you can use to answer the thought of what to do with lots of fresh jalapenos.
1. Scrambled Eggs
Yum, yum, yum, who doesn’t love waking up to make a delicious meal of scrambled eggs with queso fresco and jalapenos? Queso fresco and jalapenos have flavors that suit each other well. Queso fresco is light and blends in with the intense flavors of jalapenos.
I recommend making yourself scrambled eggs during the week or omelets with these two ingredients. If you still have a lot left over and don’t know what to do with lots of fresh jalapenos, keep on reading and use another technique!
2. Freeze Them
What happens when you have way too many jalapeños and leftovers? Although you can cook them, you do run the risk of running out of room in your fridge, so what do you do? I recommend taking a day off when you can to figure out what to do with lots of fresh jalapenos.
Once you have a few meal ideas in your head, prepare and cut the jalapenos as desired depending on the recipe. Grab plastic Ziplock bags and a permanent marker. Place the cut-up jalapenos in each and label them as the dish you want to create. When it’s time to cook, simply take out a bag and simmer!
3. Preserve Outside
If you have a lot and some of them you want to be a bit softer, I recommend placing them outside of the fridge, only if they are still intact though! When you preserve jalapenos outside, they start to wrinkle and deflate. This makes it a lot easier to cook with if you are making some kind of sauce in the blender.
4. Jalapeno Salsa Sauce
Have you ever tried to make your own spicy salsa? If not, why not do it now that you are wondering what to do with lots of fresh jalapenos? Gather the ingredients as necessary, including the tomatoes, onions, and various seasonings.
Chop these ingredients and place them in a separate bowl. Sometimes you can use a dicer or a blender depending on the recipe and the overall thickness you are looking for.
5. Stuffed Jalapenos With Cream Cheese
Possibly one of my favorite snacks that I like to share with friends and family is stuffed jalapenos with cream cheese! Cut open the jalapenos and take out the seeds and the pit. Preheat the oven as you do this step to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Fill each jalapeno with a mixture of cream cheese and shredded cheese.
If you want something more toasted, you can also place these jalapenos in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Keep your eye on them so they don’t burn!
Conclusion
All in all, honestly having too many or a lot of fresh jalapenos is a dream! There is so much you can figure out about what to do with lots of fresh jalapenos! Not only can you create new recipes and try different dishes, but you can preserve the fresh jalapenos for future use by freezing them as needed.
Did you learn something interesting about what to do with lots of fresh jalapenos? Let us know and feel free to share this blog around with the information in it with friends and family!
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