Featured in: Portuguese Sweet Pepper Paste
Ingredients
- •4 large sweet red peppers, cored, seeded, cut into 5 cm (2 inch) strips
- •1.3 kg (3 pounds) coarse kosher salt (not pickling or table salt)
- •118 ml (1/2 cup) extra virgin olive oil
- •Two 237 ml (8-ounce) jelly jars, sterilized
- •One 28 x 46 cm (11 x 18 inch) non-corrosive sheet pan with 2.5 cm (1 inch) sides
- •One 23 x 30 cm (9 x 12 inch) wood slatted box or footed sieve
- •Cheese cloth, if using sieve
Preparation
Set wooden box or sieve onto one end of sheet pan. Pour a 2.5 cm (1 inch) layer of coarse salt across the bottom of the box or lined sieve. From this point, do not move the box or sieve. Once the base salt is added, like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, place the pepper slices skin side up, onto the salt, making sure to uncurl even the smallest part of the pepper, otherwise mold will form. Lightly press the slices onto the salt.
Once the layer of peppers is completed, cover the peppers with a 1.3 cm (½ inch) layer of salt. Make a second layer of peppers, finishing with another 1.3 cm (½ inch) layer of salt, completely covering the peppers. Cover with wax paper and place heavy dishes on top to weigh it down. Move the sheet pan near a sink. Place a thick wooden spoon or two under the sheet pan to raise the box end. Let stand up to 5 days. When ready, drainage will have slowed to a trickle and peppers will be very thin.
Do not rinse the peppers. Simply wipe off excess salt. Process the peppers in a meat grinder, blender or food processor until fairly fine. Pack in the jars to within 2.5 cm (1 inch) of top. Top off with the olive oil and seal tightly. May be stored in the refrigerator for at least 6 to 9 months. To use, push aside any congealed olive oil, remove what you need, depending on the recipe then top off jar with more olive oil, recover and store.