Slow Roasted Jalapeños in the Oven

Oven-roasting is a good option when it's too cold to pull out the grill. While you can certainly can or freeze jalapeños to preserve them, roasting them first is an easy method that gives you an improved flavor profile over freezing or canning them without altering their texture.

So if you want to add a roasted jalapeño flavor to your recipes year-round, this is a great option!

The roasting process does many things to jalapeños. First, it softens their texture, making it easier to slice them thinly or dice them in recipes. It infuses them with an inherent smoky flavor that comes from applying heat directly to the pepper rather than cooking it in a liquid or steam environment.

Perhaps most importantly, it reduces some of their capsaicin content—the compound that gives peppers their heat—which means they will be more palatable to people who love the flavor but can't handle too much heat on their tongue.

• Jalapeños peppers
• Oil or cooking spray

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut off the tops of your peppers. First, make sure they're thoroughly cleaned inside and out. Then lay them down on a sheet tray lined with aluminum foil.

Roast them for 10 minutes, then flip them over and roast for an additional 10 minutes. Once they're done cooking, let them sit for about 30 minutes—they'll be hot!

Once they've cooled off, it's time to get hands-on! At this point, you can safely handle them without burning yourself, peel off the skin, and remove any remaining seeds and stems from inside.

You'll be left with delicious roasted jalapenos that are ready to eat or to use in your favorite recipe.

Oven-roasted jalapenos are a versatile side dish that can go with anything from burgers to enchiladas. Here are some ways to use your oven-roasted jalapeños:

I love serving oven-roasted jalapeños on a cheese board or charcuterie plate. They're an unexpected addition that looks and tastes beautiful!

Make a quick chimichurri sauce with oven-roasted jalapeños, cilantro, garlic, red wine vinegar, and olive oil! Add everything to a food processor and pulse blend until it reaches the desired consistency. It's great on steak, chicken, shrimp—really anything!

Oven-roasted jalapeños are a delicious addition to just about any sandwich you can think of. Try them with sliced turkey and Swiss on a baguette for a new take on lunchtime eats!

Blending oven-roasted jalapeños into guacamole is a great way to add flavor. You can even add the seeds if you want an extra spicy hit! It's so tasty that we guarantee you'll never go back to plain ol' guac again. Pair this with a Mezcal Paloma or a Grapefruit Mimosa and call it a party!

If you like jalapeños, then you'll love my recipe for pickled pineapple and jalapeños! If you want the sweet and savory combo, this fermented garlic honey will be a great addition to your slow-living pantry.

The answer is no. Roasting hot peppers makes them lose some of their heat and in the process, they become less spicy.

No, roasting jalapeños do not make them milder. They are the same temperature no matter how long you roast them.

Roasted jalapeños are a delicious, healthy snack that can be eaten on its own or mixed with lentils and rice for a hearty meal. They are packed with vitamins A and C, as well as potassium.