Green Jalapeño Pepper Overview
Green Jalapeño peppers, with their vibrant color and moderate heat, are a staple in Mexican cuisine and are widely used around the world for their zesty flavor. These medium-sized chili peppers add a mild to medium spice level, making them a popular choice in both cooked and raw dishes. Known for their slightly sharp, tangy taste, green Jalapeños are commonly added to salsas, marinades, and sauces and can even be pickled for extended use.
Health Benefits of Green Jalapeño Pepper
- High in Vitamin C: Supports immune health and skin care due to its antioxidant properties.
- Boosts Metabolism: Contains capsaicin, which helps speed up metabolism and can aid in weight management.
- Rich in Antioxidants: Packed with antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and inflammation.
- Supports Heart Health: Capsaicin and vitamins in Jalapeños can improve blood flow and reduce cholesterol levels.
- Promotes Digestive Health: The heat from capsaicin can stimulate digestion and improve gut health.
How to Eat Green Jalapeño Pepper
- Raw: Add to salads or salsas for a crunchy, spicy kick.
- Grilled or Roasted: Enhances their flavor and reduces the heat slightly.
- Pickled: Pickled Jalapeños make a great condiment or topping for tacos, burgers, or nachos.
- Stuffed: Commonly stuffed with cheese or meat and then baked or fried.
- Sauced: Blend into hot sauces or dips for extra flavor.
Nutritional Value of Green Jalapeño Pepper (per 100 grams)
- Calories: 29 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 6.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Fiber: 2.8 g
- Fat: 0.4 g
- Vitamin C: 118 mg
- Vitamin A: 107 IU
- Potassium: 248 mg
- Iron: 0.3 mg
Taste Profile
Green Jalapeños have a crisp, slightly tart, and grassy taste with moderate spiciness. The heat is lower than many other chili varieties, making them accessible for those who enjoy a balanced spicy flavor.
Indian Recipes with Green Jalapeño Pepper
1. Jalapeño Pakora (Fritters)
Ingredients:
- Green Jalapeños: 8-10, slit
- Gram flour (Besan): 1 cup
- Cumin seeds: 1/2 tsp
- Red chili powder: 1/2 tsp
- Salt: to taste
- Water: as needed
- Oil: for frying
Instructions:
- Mix besan, cumin seeds, red chili powder, and salt. Add water to make a thick batter.
- Dip Jalapeños into the batter and deep-fry until golden brown. Serve hot with chutney.
2. Jalapeño Paneer Tikka
Ingredients:
- Green Jalapeños: 5-6, sliced
- Paneer: 200g, cubed
- Yogurt: 1/2 cup
- Ginger-garlic paste: 1 tsp
- Red chili powder: 1/2 tsp
- Garam masala: 1/2 tsp
- Salt: to taste
- Oil: 1 tbsp
Instructions:
- Mix yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt.
- Marinate paneer and Jalapeños in the mixture for 30 minutes.
- Skewer and grill until golden. Serve with mint chutney.
3. Jalapeño Mint Chutney
Ingredients:
- Green Jalapeños: 2, chopped
- Fresh mint leaves: 1/2 cup
- Fresh coriander leaves: 1/2 cup
- Garlic: 1 clove
- Salt: to taste
- Lemon juice: 1 tbsp
Instructions:
- Blend Jalapeños, mint, coriander, garlic, salt, and lemon juice until smooth.
- Serve as a dip with snacks or main dishes.
4. Jalapeño Rice
Ingredients:
- Green Jalapeños: 3, chopped
- Basmati rice: 1 cup, cooked
- Onion: 1, sliced
- Cumin seeds: 1/2 tsp
- Curry leaves: a few
- Salt: to taste
- Oil: 1 tbsp
Instructions:
- In a pan, heat oil, add cumin seeds, curry leaves, and onion.
- Add chopped Jalapeños and sauté briefly. Add cooked rice and salt, stir well. Serve hot.
5. Jalapeño Aloo Gobi (Potato-Cauliflower)
Ingredients:
- Green Jalapeños: 2, chopped
- Cauliflower florets: 1 cup
- Potato: 1, diced
- Cumin seeds: 1/2 tsp
- Turmeric powder: 1/4 tsp
- Coriander powder: 1/2 tsp
- Salt: to taste
- Oil: 1 tbsp
Instructions:
- Heat oil, add cumin seeds, and Jalapeños, then potatoes and cauliflower.
- Season with turmeric, coriander powder, and salt. Cook until vegetables are tender.
Non-Indian Recipes with Green Jalapeño Pepper
1. Jalapeño Poppers
Ingredients:
- Green Jalapeños: 8, halved and seeded
- Cream cheese: 1/2 cup
- Shredded cheddar cheese: 1/4 cup
- Garlic powder: 1/4 tsp
- Bread crumbs: 1/4 cup
- Salt and pepper: to taste
Instructions:
- Mix cream cheese, cheddar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Fill Jalapeño halves with this mixture.
- Top with breadcrumbs, bake at 200°C for 15 minutes. Serve warm.
2. Jalapeño Cornbread
Ingredients:
- Green Jalapeños: 1, finely chopped
- Cornmeal: 1 cup
- Flour: 1 cup
- Sugar: 1/4 cup
- Baking powder: 1 tbsp
- Milk: 1 cup
- Egg: 1
- Butter: 1/4 cup, melted
- Salt: 1/2 tsp
Instructions:
- Combine dry ingredients. Whisk in milk, egg, butter, and chopped Jalapeño.
- Pour into a greased pan, bake at 180°C for 25 minutes. Cool before slicing.
3. Jalapeño Guacamole
Ingredients:
- Green Jalapeños: 1, finely chopped
- Avocado: 2, mashed
- Onion: 1/4, diced
- Tomato: 1/2, diced
- Lime juice: 1 tbsp
- Salt: to taste
- Cilantro: for garnish
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients, mix well, and garnish with cilantro. Serve with chips or tacos.
4. Jalapeño Salsa Verde
Ingredients:
- Green Jalapeños: 2, roasted and chopped
- Tomatillos: 5, husked and roasted
- Garlic: 1 clove
- Onion: 1/4, chopped
- Salt: to taste
- Cilantro: 1/4 cup
Instructions:
- Blend roasted Jalapeños, tomatillos, garlic, onion, salt, and cilantro until smooth. Serve with tacos or nachos.
5. Jalapeño and Pineapple Pizza
Ingredients:
- Green Jalapeños: 1, sliced
- Pizza dough: 1, prepared
- Tomato sauce: 1/2 cup
- Mozzarella cheese: 1 cup, shredded
- Pineapple chunks: 1/2 cup
- Olive oil: 1 tbsp
Instructions:
- Spread tomato sauce over pizza dough. Sprinkle cheese, pineapple, and sliced Jalapeños.
- Drizzle with olive oil and bake at 220°C for 10-12 minutes.
Green Jalapeño Pepper is a versatile vegetable that can enhance both traditional and modern recipes. Enjoy exploring its spicy flavor and adding a unique touch to your culinary creations!