The aromatic roasting of NM chile has now begun. Red or Green?
My Active Rain friend John McCormack taught me alot about chillies with his post! He inspired me to head to Pike Place Market and get some photos of the lovely strands of pungent and colorful creations!
If you live in the Albuquerque or any surrounding NM area you know the state question is red or green meaning do you want red or green chile on your food. If you want both… the answer is Christmas!
Hatch NM is the chile capital of the world although chile is grown statewide. This year’s drought has created even hotter than usual chilies and higher prices. The aromatic roasting of NM chile has now begun but is expected to only last a few weeks due to the draught and shortage of chile. So get it while you can!
Chillies are certainly a favorite either as a spice or a stand alone dish like red chile and beans, green chile stew or chile rellenos’ which is a big Anaheim or Big Jim chile stuffed with cheese, then coated in batter and fried. But chile isn’t just eaten you willoften find this colorful pod as a ristra adorning the entry to many southwest homes or a decoration hanging in the kitchen or patio. A Chile Ristra is a bundle of red chile all tied together, the purpose was to dry the chile so it could be crushed or ground to use as a spice. The result is a very colorful and eye catching ristra. Legend suggests hanging a ristra brought good luck to the family.
My wife and I have a unique tradition at our place. We hand pick red chilies at a local farmers market in early fall. They are hung to dry in the garage, we spray them with lacquer and leave them until time to place them on our Christmas tree making for a very Southwestern Christmas tree! When mixed with pine-cones, berries and a grapevine wreath topping off the tree it’s quiet beautiful and makes for great conversation with holiday guest.
So whether your answer is red, green or Christmas when you’re in the Land of Enchantment it’s a must that you sample the chile offered. Once bitten most come back for more and just can’t get enough. If you can’t handle the heat be sure to pick up a ristra from one of the many shops or street vendors.
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