Hot Pepper Smoked Pork

[pkadare]

Cannot wait to try this!

Recipe: Nashville Hot Smoked Pork, the easiest showstopper (thetakeout.com)

• 1 big ol’ pork shoulder (test batches were 5-7 lb. shoulders) and enough time to cook it
• 2.5 lbs. hot peppers (ghost peppers, habañeros, red jalapenos, and Anaheim chiles all work well at varying heat levels), stems removed
• 8 cloves garlic, peeled
• 60 grams kosher salt

1. Chop up your peppers and garlic by pulsing in a food processor or blender until coarse but consistent. Note to all you high-end blender people: take care not to overheat the mix and ruin your fermentation chances.
2. Add the salt and mix thoroughly. Transfer to a clean airlock jar (you can use a regular mason jar if you off-gas daily, but otherwise these are a great option), weighing down the peppers and leaving at least an inch of headspace.
3. Place in a cupboard or a closet or somewhere generally temperate and without light. Check daily for fermentation activity and make sure the peppers remain covered in brine. Note: The brine mentioned here is simply the liquid given off by the peppers, there is no additional brine required.
4. Hang out for a week, doing cool stuff. You want at least a week of fermentation, though you can go for two if you’re a super-planner.
5. Marinade time: Blend and strain. You don’t necessarily have to do this, but you’ll end up with a lot of charred pepper skin confetti on your pork if you don’t. I learned!
6. Place your pork in a zip-top bag, pour the marinade over, push out the air, and seal. Place it on a sheet pan in the fridge, unless you trust the store-brand bag implicitly. Marinate overnight, turning a couple of times if you get a chance.
7. Heat your smoker to 225 degrees and get your water pan in place. Smoke for about 2 hours per pound. Spritz it if that’s your thing. When it attains what you, in your wisdom, know as The Magical Jiggle (usually close to 195-205 internal temp) then it’s time to rock.
8. Serve with buns, sauce, pickled onions, and jalapeños—all that fun stuff. You’ll probably want beer too.

[DogFaced PonySoldier]

I assume the "covered in brine" comment means you're supposed to put some liquid in there or something? I don't see anything in any of the steps about adding a liquid.

[pkadare]

Good question. I'll ask that in the comments for the article.

[pkadare]

Ok, the author is obviously online 🥱and the answer is there's no additional brine, the recipe refers to the liquid that is coming from the peppers themselves. I'll add a note to the recipe above. Thanks for asking!

[shify]

Saw that recipe and I agree, it sounds awesome. Been meaning to get some fermenting lids and this may be the final kick I need to pull the trigger

[pkadare]

Same here. I actually had a fermentation kit in my Amazon cart. Hopefully I remembered to add it to my wish list.

[pkadare]

Pulled the trigger and ordered this kit - https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01H7GI7V8?th=1. Now I just have to figure out how to get some fresh hot peppers up here. :-)