Pickled Garlic With Chili and Herbs Recipe

Directions:

1. Separate garlic bulbs into cloves. To soften and loosen skins, blanch garlic cloves in rapidly boiling water 30 seconds; immediately immerse in cold water, drain and peel cloves.
2. In a large stainless steel saucepan, combine vinegar, pickling salt, mustard seeds, peppercorns, sugar and oregano, rosemary, thyme.
3. Bring to a boil; boil gently 1 minute; remove from heat.
4. Add peeled garlic cloves and chili’s to hot vinegar mixture. Stir constantly 1 minute.
5. Pack garlic and 1 whole chili pepper into a hot jar to within 3/4-inch of top rim. Add hot liquid to cover garlic to 1/2-inch of top rim (head space). Using rubber spatula, remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rim removing any stickiness. Center and place lids on jar; apply screw band just until fingertip tight. Place jar in canner. Repeat for remaining garlic and liquid.
6. Cover canner; return water to a boil. Process - boil filled jars - 10 minutes. Remove lid and leave jars till bubbles subside about 5 minutes.
7. Remove jars. Cool undisturbed 24 hours in a draft free spot.
8. Check jars seals. Sealed lids curve downward. Remove screw bands; wipe and dry bands and jars. Store screw bands separately or replace loosely on jars, as desired.
9. Label and store in a cool, dark place.
10. It takes anywhere from 2-4 weeks to pickle garlic so that it has a good rich spicy taste.
11. Note: At elevations higher than (1,000 ft) increase processing time. Add 5 minutes at (1,000-3,000 ft); add 10 minutes at (3,001-6,000 ft); add 15 minutes at elevations higher than (6,0001 ft).
12. FYI: This recipe was specially formulated to allow home canners to preserve a low acid food - garlic - in a commonly available boiling water canner. Please do not deviate from the recipe ingredients; quantities, jar size and processing method and time. Any change could affect the safety of the end product.