Description
This pineapple cowboy candy recipe offers a sweet, tangy, and subtly spicy condiment perfect for adding a burst of flavor to various meals. It’s versatile, has a long shelf-life, and is designed for home cooks looking to impress with gourmet flair.
Ingredients
- 1.5 kg pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1 cm thick rings or spears (or 2 cans (567 g each) crushed pineapple, well-drained)
- 4–5 medium fresh jalapenos, thinly sliced (about 1.5 cups), seeds and membranes removed for milder flavor
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup granulated sugar (or sugar substitute blend for low-carb)
- 0.5 cup water
- 1 tablespoon pickling spice blend
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 0.25 teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Prep Pineapple and Jalapenos: Lay pineapple rings or spears flat on a cutting board; use a small knife to remove any hard core. Thinly slice your jalapenos.
- Make the Spiced Brine: In a medium, non-reactive saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, water, pickling spice blend, red pepper flakes, and sea salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is fully dissolved (about 10-15 minutes).
- Simmer Fruit and Peppers: Gently add the prepared pineapple and jalapenos to the simmering brine. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 5-10 minutes, or until the pineapple becomes tender-crisp and looks slightly translucent. (If pineapple softens too quickly, remove it and simmer only jalapenos for a few more minutes).
- Jar the Mixture: Carefully transfer the hot mixture to clean, sterilized pint-sized jars, ensuring an even distribution of solids and liquid. Leave 0.5-inch headspace at the top.
- Process and Seal: Place the filled jars into a boiling water bath, ensuring they are fully submerged by at least 1 inch of water. Bring to a rolling boil and process for 10 minutes (adjust time for altitude if needed).
Notes
For spicier candy, add extra red pepper flakes or a dash of habanero powder to the brine. For a sweeter syrup, reduce the brine for a few extra minutes before adding pineapple. For kid-friendly versions, use fewer jalapenos or substitute with bell peppers. Ensure jars are properly sterilized to prevent spoilage before canning. Do not over-process the jars, as this can soften the fruit too much. Always drain canned pineapple well if using it, to avoid watering down the brine. Select firm, ripe pineapples and fresh, crisp jalapenos for the best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Simmering, Canning
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (30 g)
- Calories: 50 calories
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 20 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: pineapple, cowboy candy, condiment, sweet, spicy, tangy, canning, preserve, easy, versatile