Cowboy Candy

Cowboy Candy has a little spice, a little sweetness, a little tang, and is such an easy and delicious treat that there’s no reason you shouldn’t have a jar of them on hand all the time. In simplified terms, it’s candied jalapeño, which you might not want to eat exactly like candy, but you will want to eat on top of everything you can. Pair it with cream cheese for a sweet and spicy dip, top your burger with it, tuck it into egg salad… the options are endless. And incredibly delicious.

The beauty of Cowboy Candy is that the process tames the heat of the jalapeño a bit while bringing in some sweetness, which I think makes them an even more versatile addition to recipes. And it only takes a few ingredients!

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 lb jalapeño peppers, sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds

PREPARATION

1. In a saucepan or high-sided pan, stir together the sugar, vinegar, salt, and celery seeds and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Reduce heat to low and let simmer 5 minutes. Stir in jalapeños, return to a simmer and let cook 4 minutes more.
3. Transfer jalapeños to clean jars, top with any remaining syrup, and enjoy! These will keep in refrigerator up to 3 months.