How to Preserve Sweet Banana Peppers

Canning Banana Peppers

Pick or buy 1/2 lb (227 g) of sweet banana peppers. These are usually available at farmer's markets fairly late in the summer growing season. This recipe makes 2 jars of canned peppers; double or triple the recipe based on how many lbs. of peppers you have acquired.

Clean 2 half-pint (237 ml) canning jars. Wash the lids, rings and jars with hot, soapy water.

Sterilize the canning jars. Place them in a large pot and cover them in water. Bring the water to a boil and leave boiling for 10 minutes.

Place 2 cups (473 ml) of white vinegar, 2/3 cup (133 g) of sugar, 1/2 tsp (0.9 g) of mustard seeds and 1/2 tsp (0.9 g) of celery seed to a rolling boil in a saucepan.

Cut your peppers horizontally, in rings.

Divide the peppers between the 2 sterilized jars.

Pour the hot vinegar mixture into the jars. Make sure it comes within 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) of the top of the container.

Clean the lid of the jar with a sterilized cloth.

Place the lids on top of the jar. Screw on the rings as tight as you can with your fingertips.

Prepare a hot water bath. Place the jars on the jar rack and lower them into the canning kettle and the water. Cover the kettle and heat the water to a boil.

Allow the kettle to boil according to the proper time, as indicated by your jars and altitude. Let the jars cool completely, between 12 and 24 hours, before placing them in a dark, cool space.

Freezing Banana Peppers

Cut your peppers in half. Remove the pith, seeds and stem.

Place the peppers on a cookie sheet. Place them in the freezer.

Remove the cookie sheet from the freezer once the peppers are frozen.

Place the peppers inside 1 or more freezer bags. Choose the bag size based on the portion sizes that you will take out to use with your cooking. Try to push or suck out all the remaining air in the bag. Use a vacuum packing machine to seal the peppers in an airtight space, if you own this machine. Vacuum packed peppers will last longer and have less freezer burn.

Place the bags of sweet banana peppers back inside the freezer. Remove and thaw when you want to use them. The unfrozen peppers are best for cooking, rather than eating raw.