A Peck (more like a 1/2 bushel) of Pickled Peppers

Why do we refer to it as "canning" anyway?  It's more like "jarring."  Aside from that - Curt, Winger, and myself set out to do some pickles.  No, not those pickles, pickled banana peppers. 

Canning banana peppers is something we normally did with Pops on the back porch so to keep the tradition alive we again performed the task on a back porch, only this time it was my back porch.  

We did two batches.  One with a 3 to 1 vinegar to water ratio with 1 cup of salt, and one with a 2 to 1 vinegar to water ration with 1/2 cup of salt. 

Although straying from the norm, we avoid flying by the seat of our pants concerning anything involving Botulism so both recipes were tried and tested.  Our experimentation pertains mostly to taste and quality, especially when the end result of "winging it" could be Botulism.  No thanks.

We had a mixture of regular Banana peppers and a new variety we have never grown called "Inferno" Banana Peppers.  Greeny and I stuffed a few of the inferno peppers the other night and grilled them.  They are noticeably hotter, but not overwhelming.  Once picked we could not tell the difference so these jars will have a nice mix of hot and sweet peppers.

25 pints later and we're happy.  Another awesome vegetable excellently preserved for future use.

We have enough peppers to do this at least 2 more times so we're thinking about some experimenting with some new recipes.  Suggestions?

This week's thought from the mind of a child:  Winger picked up a few cucumbers that we also picked while in the garden, and proceeded to sit them next to the young cucumber plants we have growing in pots on the back patio.  He told me that it would make them grow "bigga bigga."  I initially told him to be careful and not to play with the cucumbers for fear of him bruising or damaging them.  I then realized that although he was technically "playing" with the cucumbers, the reason for him doing what he did actually makes sense.  To him, anyone bigger or older provides him with food, safety, and nurturing - all things needed to grow bigger.  It makes so much sense in its most simple of forms why we as parents are here - and he gets it at only 2 1/2 years old.  Too bad there are millions of parents who unfortunately do NOT get it.   

Keep it real simple.