Are you wondering whether it is possible to Microwave Jalapeno Peppers? Well, you are at the right place. Below is the answer to your question, accompanied by other relevant information.
Can you microwave jalapeno peppers?
No, you should not microwave Jalapeno Peppers. They contain capsaicin, which, when microwaved, turns into an aerosol pepper spray. The spray will burn your eyes and skin when you open the microwave door.
This article talks about the possibility of microwaving Jalapeno Peppers. Among other related topics like Reasons why you should Avoid Microwaving Jalapeno Peppers, Can You Microwave Frozen Jalapeno Peppers, What to Do if The Inside of the Microwave Catches Fire, Should You Eat Jalapenos Peppers Raw or Cooked, How to De-Spice Jalapenos Peppers and How to Increase Spiciness in Jalapenos Peppers.
Reasons why you should Avoid Microwaving Jalapeno Peppers
Among the reasons you should avoid microwaving Jalapeno Peppers is the existence of capsaicin, the possibility of the Jalapeno Peppers exploding, catching fire, and losing their spiciness.
Below is a detailed explanation of why the mentioned reasons could harm you.
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Existence of capsaicin
Capsaicin is a special ingredient that makes Jalapeno Peppers hot. When you microwave the Jalapeno Peppers, the Capsaicin begins to vaporize. The vapor produced becomes hotter as the Jalapeno Peppers continue to microwave.
This hot vapor will burn your skin, eyes, throat, and mouth when you open the microwave door. The harm could be so dangerous, and you could be hospitalized due to getting in contact with the hot vapor. The hot vapor is not just produced when you microwave Capsaicin; all types of hot peppers will have the same results when you place them in the microwave.
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The possibility of the Jalapeno Peppers exploding and catching fire
The other primary reason you shouldn’t microwave Jalapeno Peppers is an explosion. They often explode or catch fire. As it vaporizes, it loses moisture and dries, especially the big ones. The explosion could cause damage to your microwave or cause the beginning of a fire in your kitchen.
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Microwaving Jalapeno Peppers alters their taste
Suppose you manage to microwave Jalapeno Peppers without them causing them to explode, catching fire, or forming a vapor that irritates your skin, eyes, mouth, and throat. The Jalapeno Peppers’ spiciness will no longer exist as it should. The taste of the peppers will no longer be the same.
Why Do Jalapeno Peppers Catch Fire in The Microwave
Jalapeno Peppers and other vegetables like green beans, carrots, and spinach contain minerals like iron, magnesium, and selenium. These kinds of minerals act like small pieces of metal when placed in the microwave.
The metal reacts with microwaves and begins to arce. In the same way, the iron, magnesium, and selenium in the Jalapeno Peppers react with the microwaves and create what we call an “arcing effect.”
Can You Microwave Frozen Jalapeno Peppers
No, whether frozen or unfrozen, Jalapeno Peppers should not be placed in the microwave. This is due to the existence of capsaicin, a special ingredient that makes Jalapeno Peppers hot, which will lead to the possibility of the Jalapeno Peppers exploding, catching fire, and losing their spiciness.
The Capsaicin will vaporize, producing hot vapor capable of burning your skin, eyes, throat, and mouth when you open the microwave door. Suppose you even succeed without any of the mentioned issues happening; the taste and texture of your Jalapeno Peppers will be altered entirely after microwaving.
Instead, you could bake your frozen Jalapeno Peppers. Align some parchment papers on a baking sheet and arrange your frozen parchment papers on it on a single layer. Bake them for 8 minutes, flip them over and bake again for 7 more minutes. Keep checking to avoid overheating.
What to Do if The Inside of The Microwave Catches Fire
Turn the microwave off and unplug it. Suppose you were microwaving Jalapeno Peppers or any other type of food, and later you notice fire formation on the inside. Do not panic; let the first step be turning your microwave off. Immediately switch off the socket and unplug the microwave.
Also, do not be tempted to open the microwave while the fire is still visible. The fire may spread to neighboring kitchen appliances or even burn your skin. Allow the fire to go out completely before opening the microwave door. Suppose the fire is too much; call Triple Zero (000) and ask for Fire.
Should You Eat Jalapenos Peppers Raw or Cooked
You could eat the Jalapenos Peppers either Raw or cooked. However, most people prefer them cooked since eating them raw imparts a plant-like flavor. Those who do not mind the plant-like flavor taste in their mouth often use them as a part ingredient in salads, smoothies, or pickled.
You could use your cooked Jalapenos Peppers while baking cornbread or omelets. Or you could add them to a nacho cheese for a spicy cheese dip
How to De-Spice Jalapenos Peppers
To reduce the spiciness in the Jalapenos Peppers, remove the stem, split it in half, scoop out the seeds, Cook fo longer, or soak jalapenos in Sprite or water and vinegar.
Below is how the mentioned tactics will help reduce spiciness in Jalapenos Peppers
1. Remove the stem, split it in half and scoop out the seeds
The stem and the seeds inside the Jalapenos Peppers are the greatest carriers of capsaicin, a special ingredient that makes it hot. Chopping them off will reduce the spiciness in the pepper to a certain level. Use kitchen gloves as you chop the stem and scoop the seeds. If not, the skin on your hands will start burning, or you may forget and touch your eyes or nose with your hands, leading to a severe burning sensation.
2. Cook the Jalapenos Peppers for longer
To reduce the spiciness in the Jalapenos Peppers, you may opt to cook them for longer. The longer they are under high heat, the more capsaicin in the peppers continues to degrade and dissolve.
3. Pickle the Jalapenos Peppers
The best way to pickle the Jalapenos Peppers is to cook them and store them in an airtight jar containing water and vinegar. They could stay in the jar for up to 2 hours. The main purpose of this process is to alter the taste and texture of the Jalapenos Peppers; often, they come out less spicy and more flavourable.
Besides water and vinegar, other solutions that could help you pickle your Jalapenos Peppers after cooking include full-fat milk sour cream, heavy cream, cottage cheese, coconut milk, yoghurt, or diet Sprite.
4. Boil the Jalapenos Peppers
Boiling Jalapenos Peppers will reduce their spiciness by reducing almost half of their capsaicin. However, the quantity of capsaicin in the red Jalapenos Peppers is not the same as in the green ones.
The red Jalapenos Peppers may have more capsaicin, which means they will need to be boiled for longer to reduce their hotness.
How to Increase Spiciness in Jalapenos Peppers
Do not remove the membrane and seeds in the Jalapenos Peppers; allow them to ripen before harvesting, and you could add some Epsom salt to the soil while they are still on the farm.
Some of us would rather reduce the hotness in the Jalapenos Peppers before eating, while others would instead increase the hotness. Below is how the tactics mentioned above help increase the spiciness in Jalapenos Peppers.
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Do not remove the membrane and seeds
The seeds and the membrane of the Jalapenos Peppers are known to be huge carriers of Capsaicin, the hot ingredient. Often it is advised to chop them off to reduce the hotness of the peppers. However, if it is hotness and spiciness you are after, it is better to let them stay. Cook your Jalapenos Peppers with their membrane and seeds.
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Allow the Jalapenos Peppers to ripen
Do not be in a hurry to harvest your Jalapenos Peppers. Allow the peppers to continue ripening on the farm. The more they ripen, the spicier they become.
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Add Epsom salt to the soil
Those producing their own Jalapenos Peppers who love them when they are spicer could consider adding some Epsom salt to the soil. The Epsom salt is known for adding flavors and nutrients to the soil, enhancing the spiciness in the Jalapenos Peppers as they grow.
Final thoughts
It is not advisable to microwave Jalapenos Peppers due to quite a number of reasons. For instance, microwaving Jalapenos Peppers may lead to an exploding, catching fire in the microwave, and losing their spiciness due to a hot pepper agent known as capsaicin.
In fact, the vapor produced by capsaicin is enough to cause severe burns to your skin, eyes, throat, and mouth.
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