Yield: Makes about 6 x 500 ml jars
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Processing Time: 10 Minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate
Perk up a relish tray or garnish a tomato cocktail with these zesty pickled beans. If you plan to use them as cocktail garnishes, select long beans, leave the tips on and pack them in 500 ml jars.
INGREDIENTS:
2.2 lb (1 kg) green beans
2.2 lb (1 kg) yellow waxed beans
2 large red peppers, seeded
3 cups (750 ml) white vinegar
3 cups (750 ml) water
3 tbsp (45 ml) pickling salt
6 tsp (30 ml) crushed red pepper or 6-18 hot chili peppers
18 peppercorns
3 tsp (15 ml) dill seed
6 large cloves garlic, halved
DIRECTIONS:
• Place 6 clean 500 ml mason jars on a rack in a boiling water canner; cover jars with water and heat to a simmer (180°F/82°C). Set screw bands aside. Heat SNAP LID® sealing discs in hot water, not boiling (180°F/82°C). Keep jars and sealing discs hot until ready to use.
• Wash and trim beans. Core and seed peppers; cut into long thin strips.
• In a large stainless steel saucepan, combine vinegar, water and pickling salt. Bring to a boil. Add beans and pepper strips; return mixture to a boil. Remove from heat.
• In hot jar place 1 tsp (5 ml) crushed red pepper or 1 to 3 fresh hot chili peppers, 3 peppercorns, 1/2 tsp (2 ml) dill seed and 2 pieces garlic. Pack beans and pepper strips into a hot jar to within 3/4 inch (2 cm) of top of jar. Add hot liquid to cover vegetables to within 1/2 inch (1 cm) of top of jar (headspace). Using nonmetallic utensil, remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if required, by adding more beans, peppers and hot liquid. Wipe jar rim removing any food residue. Centre hot sealing disc on clean jar rim. Screw band down until resistance is met, then increase to fingertip tight. Return filled jar to rack in canner. Repeat for remaining beans, peppers and hot liquid.
• When canner is filled, ensure that all jars are covered by at least one inch (2.5 cm) of water. Cover canner and bring water to full rolling boil before starting to count processing time. At altitudes up to 1000 ft (305 m), process –boil filled jars – 10 minutes.*
• When processing time is complete, remove canner lid, wait 5 minutes, then remove jars without tilting and place them upright on a protected work surface. Cool upright, undisturbed 24 hours; DO NOT RETIGHTEN screw bands.
• After cooling check jar seals. Sealed discs curve downward and do not move when pressed. Remove screw bands; wipe and dry bands and jars. Store screw bands separately or replace loosely on jars, as desired. Label and store jars in a cool, dark place. For best quality, use home canned foods within one year.
