Hi Roy! It’s hard to say exactly what happened… Part of what you’re dealing with is natural: the peppers DO shrink in the cooking process. They will definitely plump up a bit more in the jar as they sit. It may also have had to do with the peppers themselves; everything from age of the peppers to the variety of jalapeño can contribute. It may also have had to do with the size of the slice of the pepper. The larger the slices, the more they seem to shrink in cooking sometimes.

Thanks so much for taking the time to rate the recipe and let me know you love it, Mary!

There’s enough syrup to process a second batch. Just boil the sliced peppers in the liquid for the requisite 4 mins and process the jars as prescribed. There’s still juice left so I mix about a cup of it with catsup to taste to make a great spicy bbq sauce. I boil the last of the syrup, add a pouch of liquid pectin and make jelly.

Hi Kat- Thanks for taking the time to rate the recipe and let me know you love it! I’m betting you just got a batch of screaming hot peppers! You can look for milder ones next time by watching for smooth skinned peppers with no light tan or cream lines tracing over the surface. The smoother the pepper, the likelier it is to be a milder one!

I’ve made these multiple times. Absolutely love them. This last time it was so hot burning my mouth. I couldn’t take it. I’m not sure what I did differently than the other times.

Oh Lily! Thank you so much for taking the time to rate the recipe and let me know you love it! I do so appreciate that. 🙂

Hi Donald- Feel free to add salt; it sure won’t harm it food safety wise. I’ve seriously never had a complaint about these from anyone who ate them. 🙂

I have made this recipe about 4 times now- quadrupling it each time. I’m currently sitting in my kitchen as the syrup boils for the last time. I added some red chillis this year, as I’m giving them as Christmas gifts! Can’t wait to see how they turn out, but I know they will be incredible. I usually forgot the cayenne, I like to make it more palatable for everyone. But you weren’t lying when you said people will get surly if I run out! I have multiple people who beg me to buy a jar. Thank you for your recipe!