Hot pepper jam

Hot Pepper Jam – a surprising combination of flavors that will bring a touch of warmth and savor to every meal!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Total: 50 minutes
Number of servings: 3-4 small jars

Hot pepper jam is a recipe that combines sweet and spicy, offering a unique tasting experience. This delicacy is perfect for accompanying juicy roasts, fine cheeses, or even desserts, bringing a pleasant contrast to the table. The origins of this recipe are lost in the mists of time, having been used by generations to preserve peppers and add flavor to dishes.

Your ingredients will be:
- 250 grams of hot peppers (uncleaned)
- 125 ml of vinegar (9 degrees)
- 100 grams of sugar
- a pinch of salt

Before you start, here are some practical tips regarding the ingredients:
1. Choose the peppers: If you prefer a less spicy jam, you can opt for sweeter hot peppers, such as jalapeños. If you're a fan of spiciness, habaneros will provide an intense experience.
2. Sugar: White sugar is ideal for achieving the perfect jam, but you can also experiment with brown sugar for a deeper flavor.
3. Vinegar: Using high-quality vinegar will significantly enhance the final taste. Apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar can add interesting notes.

Now that you have all the ingredients at hand, let’s get started!

Step 1: Preparing the peppers
- Equipped with latex gloves (especially if using very hot peppers), wash the peppers well under cold running water.
- Cut each pepper lengthwise, removing the seeds and stems. It is essential to remove the seeds, as they can intensify the spiciness.
- Place the pepper slices in a colander and let them drain well.

Step 2: Cooking the syrup
- In a pot, add the sugar and vinegar. Place the pot over medium heat and stir until the sugar completely dissolves.
- Continue to boil the mixture, observing how it transforms into a thicker syrup. This process may take between 5-10 minutes.

Step 3: Adding the peppers
- Once the syrup has started to boil and become viscous, add the chopped peppers and a pinch of salt.
- Stir well, ensuring that all the pepper slices are coated with the syrup. Simmer the mixture on low heat for about 30 minutes. You will notice how the peppers become softer and how the sweet and sour aroma intensifies.

Step 4: Bottling
- After 30 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and let the jam cool slightly.
- Fill the sterilized jars with the hot jam, leaving a little space at the top.
- Seal the jars with the lids and let them cool completely at room temperature.

Step 5: Serving
- Hot pepper jam is perfect for serving alongside roasts, cheeses, or even on a slice of toasted bread with butter. You can add a spoonful of jam on top of a spicy pizza for an extra flavor boost.

Tips and variations
- You can experiment by adding spices like garlic or ginger to give your jam an extra dimension.
- If you want to tame the spiciness, you can add some pieces of fruit, such as mango or peaches, to the mix to create an exotic jam.

Calories and nutritional benefits
This hot pepper jam has about 50 calories per serving (1 tablespoon), but it also brings nutritional benefits due to the capsaicin in peppers, which can help stimulate metabolism and reduce inflammation. Additionally, hot peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C.

Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use sweet peppers? – Although the recipe is dedicated to hot peppers, you can experiment with sweet peppers, but the result will be different.
2. How long does the jam last in the jar? – If stored in a cool, dark place, the jam can last up to a year.
3. How can I adjust the level of spiciness? – You can control the spiciness by choosing the type of pepper and by removing the seeds.

I hope this hot pepper jam recipe brings you great culinary joy! Don’t hesitate to share the final result with friends and family, as this delicacy deserves to be enjoyed together. Enjoy your meal!