So your jalapeno plants have blessed you with a wonderful harvest this year, so much so that even using them to make every recipe in my cookbook won't help. No worries. You can preserve your chile peppers for later use. There are several things you can do to preserve your harvest this year. Try Drying them, Freezing them, or Pickling them.
Drying
Wash your jalapenos thoroughly after picking to remove any dirt, then dry. Place on a plate or a wire rack in a dry, well ventilated room. You can also string the peppers up on string or thread and hang to dry. Within several weeks, you will have dried jalapenos and you can grind them up or use them as ornaments as desired.
Freezing Jalapeno Peppers
Freezing peppers is a good idea if you have a large crop and want to save them for later use. You don't have to cook your jalapenos before freezing, although you can skin/peel them if desired. Just keep in mind that after you thaw them, the skins usually come right off easily. Simply wash the peppers, drop them into a ziplock baggie, and set them in the freezer in 2 lb bags.
You can also freeze roasted jalapenos and even chop them up before freezing. When you thaw the peppers out for later use, they can become limp and rather squishy, but they won't lose their flavor.
Pickling Jalapeno Peppers
Always be sure to wash and dry your jalapeno peppers before pickling them. Also, sterilize any jars and jar lids before using. Boil them on the stove for a half hour, or throw them in the dishwasher for a cycle or two. Here are a couple of pickling recipes to help get you started:
