Jalapeño Peppers – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What are jalapeño peppers?

The jalapeño pepper is the world’s most well-known spicy chili pepper. You’ve likely encountered it at some point in your life, but just in case you haven’t, let’s discuss. As a medium-sized chili pepper, they’re used in things like salsa, chili, salads, soups, and stews. They can also be enjoyed whole when roasted with meats or stuffed with cheese.

Jalapeño peppers are members of the hot pepper family and share similarities to other hot peppers like cayenne, tobacco, and cherry. Most are green in color, but red jalapeños have a sweeter flavor and are typically smoked or pickled to make chipotle. It’s the only pepper that’s not allowed to fully ripen and change color before it’s picked.

As you might already know, jalapeños can be pretty spicy. But the spice factor varies and depends on things like the amount of sunlight the plant gets, the pH level of the soil, and other factors.

Jalapeños are similar to serrano peppers in look and taste. Both peppers fall under “medium” on the heat index on the Scoville scale. However, jalapeños are a little less intense when it comes to spice.

Where did jalapeño peppers originate from?

Jalapeño peppers can be traced back to the early Mexican state Veracruz. The name jalapeño comes from Xalapa, the capital city. Jalapeño peppers are still closely associated with Mexican cuisine, but their popularity has grown and expanded worldwide to places such as Asia, Africa, and the American South.

People in South America have used the jalapeño pepper thousands of years ago. They were most notably cultivated, smoked, and stored for long periods of time. That’s how the chipotle pepper came about.

Mexico is still the country that produces the most jalapeño peppers, with about 70,000 acres dedicated to growing them. In fact, over 22 million pounds of jalapeños came from Mexico in 2016.

What is the nutritional value of jalapeño peppers?

Jalapeño peppers come with a few health benefits. It’s chock full of:

• Vitamins A, B6, C, and K
• Folate
• Dietary fiber
• Potassium
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Copper
• Manganese

Jalapeños might be able to help speed up digestion, aid in pain relief, reduce hunger, keep your heart healthy, and sometimes lower blood pressure. They can also help prevent stomach ulcers caused by high levels of stomach acid, drinking alcohol, and smoking. Jalapeños have also been known to help fight infections like cholera.

Wanna get some jalapeño peppers for a new recipe? There is no need to go searching for “fresh produce near me” or “jalapeño peppers near me.” Get fresh vegetable delivery and get them delivered the same day.

How are jalapeño peppers grown?

Jalapeños do best in loamy, well-drained soil that contains plenty of organic matter. Ensure the area you’re growing in has plenty of sunlight as well, as these peppers thrive in warm temperatures. Aim for temperatures between 65 and 80°F. Without the right temperature, the pepper seeds won’t sprout, and you won’t be able to transplant them.

Jalapeño plant care is pretty easy, actually. Just keep them watered during hot, dry spells and avoid getting water on the fruit. Drip irrigation is the best way to water jalapeño plants. Be vigilant about pest problems by keeping your garden area clean of rotting debris.

Once you’re ready to harvest, pinch them carefully from the stem when they’re firm and solid-colored (before they change color). Store them appropriately until use.

When are jalapeño peppers in season?

Jalapeño peppers are in season in March and April, as well as the end of July and August. But you can get them all year round at most grocery stores. If you can’t find them at your local supermarket, try a specialty store, such as a Latin American food mart or grocery store.

How do you pick jalapeño peppers at the grocery store?

When shopping for jalapeño peppers at the grocery store, look for bright green, glossy peppers. They should be firm with thick flesh and no sign of soft spots.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for jalapeño peppers via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for jalapeño peppers.

How to store jalapeño peppers

Store fresh jalapeños in a paper bag or wrap them in paper towels and put them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator for up to a week. Or freeze jalapeños whole in a plastic freezer bag or airtight container. Before you freeze them, chop them up and put them into the bag.

To get the best quality, use these chili peppers within 3 months.

How to tell if jalapeño peppers are bad

You’ll know your jalapeños are bad if they show signs of mold or get wrinkled. They’ll also start to change color, and they’ll have a smell to them. Throw out canned jalapeños if the jar is rusty or leaks.

To test the hotness of your jalapeño peppers, check it out for white lines and flecks, like stretch marks, running down the length of the jalapeño pepper. The stretch marks will tell you how much stress the pepper has endured.

What can I substitute for jalapeño peppers?

Don’t have jalapeños? Don’t worry, you’ve still got some options.  Some of the most popular substitutes include:

• Fresno peppers
• Serrano peppers
• Anaheim peppers
• Cayenne pepper powder
• Bell peppers
• Smoked paprika powder
• Hot sauce
• Cubanelle peppers
• Banana peppers
• Pepperoni

Getting the freshest jalapeño peppers

Jalapeño peppers can add a little spice to any dish. So if you need them for a new recipe or an old favorite, it might be time to stock up on some. Shop fresh jalapeño peppers and have them delivered to your door with Instacart and choose same-day delivery.

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