Date: 6 April 2015. Sausage and Cheese Stuffed Peppers (new canning theory)

© janice142
 

This one is for Stephen who is canning sausage and meatballs soon. Just another idea Cap'n...
 

A new friend passed along three green peppers the other week. Ginger is the nicest gal. I am always looking for the small peppers to fit into my wide mouth one cup canning jars. She had bunches and three were the size required. Fortunately Ginger shared. I was delighted and immediately walked over to the grocery store to buy the fillers. And that's where the problems began.
 

It is always helpful to write a list. Mine was on the boat, not in my purse where I needed it. Not that having the list would have been all that helpful. My glasses were on the boat too, so even if I had the list I would not have been able to read it. Argh!
 

So with a memory like a sieve, I bought almost all the extras needed to can the peppers. I chose mozzarella cheese and scallions, plus of course a meat. I had intended to buy some lean hamburger, however sausage was on sale so I opted for that.
 

After cooking, then draining the sausage I added the cheese.
 

It is my habit to finish the filling first when making the stuffed green peppers. It is easier to keep the meat portion hot. The cheese melted into the sausage. I tested it for freshness on a tortilla. Yummy!
 

As you may recall, recently I discovered my storage of the jars left a lot to be desired. I put together a locker, courtesy of the wood cutting by my friend Pat's hubby George. Those two articles can be found Building a Locker (Part 1) and Building a Locker (Part 2).
 

And do not blame the result on George. My measuring left A LOT to be desired. The details are in those two articles. Is there a way to sign 'em Anonymous?!? I am definitely not an expert at locker building.

Here is the locker as I was putting it together. I now have a locker that works. I am grateful.

Having a convenient place to store my pressure cooker means I will use it more frequently.

But I digress...
When I put the three jars with the stuffed green peppers into the pressure cooker all was well. Then the cooking time was up and I discovered one jar did not seal and some of the juice had gotten on the other jars. I wiped them off of course.
 

The jar that didn't "pop" (seal properly) was added to the next batch.
 

HOWEVER, I started thinking. (That is not too usually dangerous.) And then I theorized that perhaps some of the icky stuff had gotten under the screw caps of the jars. I opened them and was right. A quick wash (Dawn detergent and water) then wipe down ensued.
 

Now that I ponder, I wonder if the initial canning jar failure was my fault. I did not take off the rings, wipe down the jars and lid and then put the rings back on. It is possible (probable?) the jar sealed properly however a bit of gunk started the rust cycle under the lid.
 

After processing, I now take off the rings and wipe down the jars.
 

An afternoon of cooking yielded eight processed jars. I admit I was a bit chagrined to realize the latest green peppers I had made were essentially the same as the couple I already have in the locker. The intention was to make a different option. Just having them ready is okay too.
 

Some are a complete meal (the stuffed green peppers) while five jars offer opportunities for creativity in the galley. I am satisfied.
 

Are you a green pepper person?
And, do you have any canning advice for fish? The next time I catch a big one I'd like to can it.
 

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