Hot Peppers in the Oven
/We cut our teeth on hot peppers in Gran Fran's house.
My first hot pepper experience was at age 8. The whole family watched as I agreed to take on the challenge of taking a bite of Gran Fran's fried hot peppers. I don't htink the older kids thought I'd actually do it.
Well, I did, and I loved the flavor. It was a bit spicy at first, but I quickly became addicted to Gran Fran's fried peppers. Whenever I came home from college, she'd have a nice big bowl of them ready for me. To this day, I am greeted with the fried peppers when I visit NY.
I can't seem to find the same kind of Italian hot peppers out here in SF. Gran Fran called and said she made the most delicious oven-fried hot peppers. This was welcome news. I'm tired of stove top frying and was excited to gives this a try.
I figured jalapenos would work as a good pepper substitute and set about making my own version. I've served them with my chili-mac, on the fried toast with fried egg and just on their own straight from the jar. Yes, this new method does work, and it works well.
Now if I can just get my hands on some of those actual East Coast style hot Italian peppers, my hot pepper needs will be totally fulfilled.
Oven Fried Hot Peppers
makes an 8 ounce jar
Ingredients:
- 8 to 10 Jalapeno Peppers, slliced into rings (or the hot pepper of your choice)
- 4 tablepsoons Olive Oil
- 3 cloves Garlic, peeled, but left whole
- Coarse Salt
Method:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Pour the olive oil onto a rimmed baking sheet
- Place the hot pepper rings onto the baking sheet, turning over on the pan to coat with the olive oil.
- Throw the garlic cloves into the pan.
- Sprinkle with coarse salt .
- Roast in the oven for 20 minutes. Check on them every five minutes or so to ensure that the peppers aren't browning too quickly. If they are, lower the heat to 400 degrees.
- Remove from oven and pour the rings and oil into a glass jar or bowl.
Enjoy!
