PICKLED BANANA PEPPERS

Ingredients:

• 2 lb. banana peppers
• 7 cups water
• ⅓ cup salt
• 1½ cups vinegar
• 4 tsp. dried basil
• 1 Tbsp. dried oregano
• 5 or 6 cloves garlic

Instructions:

1. Slice peppers in half lengthwise. Rinse and discard seeds and interior pulp.
2. Combine 4 cups of water and salt in a large bowl. Cover peppers with the salt solution and let stand overnight.
3. Drain and rinse well.
4. In a large saucepan, combine 3 cups water, vinegar, basil, and oregano. Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
5. Pack peppers in clean, hot half-pint jars, leaving ½ inch headspace. Add a clove of garlic to each jar.
6. Pour hot vinegar solution over peppers, stirring to keep herbs evenly distributed. Leave ½ inch headspace in each jar.
7. Adjust lids and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (start timing after water returns to boiling).
8. Makes 5 or 6 pints.