Stuffed Cherry Peppers are filled with a creamy mixture of tuna, anchovy, capers and parsley. This delicious Italian appetizer recipe, also known as Peperoncini Ripieni, makes a perfect year-round appetizer.
50pickled cherry peppers (14oz/400gram jar (see notes for using fresh cherry peppers))
6 1/2oz(185 grams) canned tuna in oil(undrained)
2tablespoonscapers
8anchovies(optional - can be reduced or omitted)
1/4cupchopped Italian parsley
1 cup olive oil(approx)
Instructions
Take a jar of cherry peppers, drain and allow to dry upside down on kitchen towel
Put all remaining ingredients in the bowl of a food processor.
Whizz until smooth.
Fill a plastic disposable piping bag with the tuna mixture and fill each pepper cup.
Carefully place all the fill peppers into an appropriate size sterilized jar with a lid and top up with olive oil before sealing with the lid.
Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
Tips for success
Have jars sterilized before you start to ensure the packing process goes smoothly. Then drain the peppers thoroughly prior to preparing the filling.
Sterilizing glass jars
Glass jars for the purpose of bottling are widely available. However jam or pickle jars work just as well.
remove any labels and sticky residue
wash and rinse thoroughly
add 1/2inch/12mm of water in the bottom of the jars
microwave for 60 seconds on high. Be careful when removing from microwave oven - they will be hot.
Carefully tip out the boiling water.
Fill with jam and seal immediately.
To sterilise lids, submerging in a pot of simmering water for 10 minutes.
FAQ's
How long will these keep?We eat ours within a month. However if you are an expert on canning and preserving, you may want to boil the sealed jars in water for 30 minutes. This may extend the keeping period for up to a year. However use common sense and if you see any discoloration or swelling of the lid, do not consume.
Can jars be sterilized in the oven?Yes. This will take a little longer. Preheat oven to 320ºF/160ºC. Place washed and rinsed jars on a baking tray and into the oven for 15 minutes or until dry and hot.