Tips for Cooking with Jalapeno Peppers

Spice Up Your Meals

Jalapeno peppers are hot, flavorful, spicy, and delicious. They add “zing” to any dish. Here are some tips for cooking with jalapeno peppers.

Avoid Burning Your Skin When Cooking With Jalapeno Peppers:

Wash your hands frequently when cooking with jalapeno peppers. Most of us know to wash our hands before preparing food. When cooking with jalapeno peppers, you’ll also want to wash your hands after you prepare the food. Jalapeno peppers contain a substance known as Capsaicin that can cause a painful burning sensation after it comes in contact with human eyes or skin. Do not touch your face or rub your eyes while you are working with jalapeno peppers. It is especially important not to use the bathroom unless you’ve washed your hands first. (Of course, it goes without saying that you’ll want to wash your hands again after you’ve finished in the bathroom, too.) Plain water will not be sufficient to remove the Capsaicin oils from your hands after you’ve touched the insides of a jalapeno pepper; you will need to use soap or detergent.

Wear Gloves When Cutting Up Jalapeno Peppers:

Wear either latex gloves or rubber gloves when you dice your jalapeno peppers. Gloves will protect your hands, but keep in mind that you will still need to make an effort not to touch your face, eyes or skin when wearing the gloves. Wash the gloves thoroughly with soap and water after you are finished using them for this purpose.

Jalapeno Pepper Membranes and Seeds Are Spicy!

If you like really spicy food, leave the inner membranes and seeds in your jalapeno peppers, and cook the peppers with the seeds still in them. If you don’t want your dish to be quite as spicy, remove the membranes and seeds before cooking. Your dish will still be flavorful, but the hotness will be reduced.

Red Vs. Green Jalapeno Peppers:

Most jalapeno peppers sold in grocery stores are green in color. Jalapeno peppers, when left to ripen until they reach full maturity, can turn red. Some people consider the red jalapenos to be inferior. I disagree, as long as the 

red jalapenos are not overripe to the point of decay. I like them either way. Jalapenos differ from bell peppers, but they do have similarities. In my opinion, red bell peppers are superior to green bell peppers; the red bell peppers are usually sweeter and more flavorful. Similarly, my perception has been that red jalapenos can taste more flavorful than their green counterparts do. The red jalapenos might be slightly sweeter, or “fruitier”.

Chipotle Peppers:

A chipotle pepper is a jalapeno pepper that has been smoked and / or dried. These flavorful chipotle peppers add zing to any meal.

Written by Amy Solovay Amy Solovay is a professional artist with a background in textile design.  -  Full profile