Homemade Spicy Hot Sauce

• Ingredients

  • 20 habanero peppers (4-1/2 ounces)
  • 5 serrano peppers (2-1/2 ounces)
  • 15 dried arbol chiles
  • 2 large carrots (5-1/2 ounces), peeled, halved lengthwise and quartered
  • 1 large sweet onion (15 ounces), cut into 8 wedges
  • 8 garlic cloves, halved
  • 1 cup water
  • 3/4 cup white vinegar (minimum 5% acetic acid)
  • 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
  • 3 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

  Directions

  • Cut habanero and serrano peppers in half; discard stems and seeds. In a bowl, combine arbol chiles and enough boiling water to cover. Let stand, covered, 10 minutes; drain.
  • Meanwhile, in a well-ventilated area, fill a 6-qt. stockpot three-quarters with water; bring to a boil. Add carrots, onion and garlic. Return to a boil; cook until soft, 20-22 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a bowl. Add peppers to stockpot; return to a boil. Boil 1 minute; drain. Place water, vinegar, lime juice, salt and pepper in a blender. Add vegetables; cover and process until smooth. Return to stockpot; bring to a boil.
  • Carefully ladle mixture into 5 hot half-pint jars, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace, if necessary, by adding hot mixture. Wipe rims. Center lids on jars; screw on bands until fingertip tight.
  • Place jars into canner with simmering water, ensuring that they are completely covered with water. Bring to a boil; process for 10 minutes. Remove jars and cool.

  Editor's Note

  Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

  Nutrition Facts

  1 teaspoon: 3 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 30mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.