Chile Peppers for August

You’re probably as tired of talking about the hot weather as I am. So, let’s talk about some wonderful plants that love the long hot summers of the Southwest and inspire passion around the world. Chile Peppers (Capsicum spp.) are favored in our gardens, on our plates and even in our medicine cabinets.

Like tomatoes, beans, corn, and avocados; chile peppers are a New World plant, found in South America by Christopher Columbus as he searched for a route to India. He was searching for the home of the black pepper (Piper nigrum), the most expensive spice in the world at that time. Columbus returned to Europe with the holds of his ships filled with plants, seeds and peppers. Within a very short time chile peppers had spread throughout the world as their flavor and heat added zest to bland diets. Even the poorest could easily cultivate this inexpensive flavor enhancer.

There are hundreds of varieties of chile peppers in many shapes, sizes, colors and flavors, from sweet to searingly pungent, hot and sweet at the same time, green and vegetal, earthy, and fruity. Some favorites for the Texas garden are habanero, Anaheim, Hungarian banana, cayenne, Tabasco, Thai, and of course jalapeño. The tiny piquin brought to my garden by the birds that were frequent visitors to the tender perennial plant in the fall deposit the seeds throughout the area. It is a very fiery hot pepper that makes a wonderful condiment when the ripe peppers are added to a bottle of vinegar, aged, and then enjoyed splashed over salads, eggs, and vegetables.

August and September are peak times for harvesting chiles from your garden or shopping our local farmer’s market. My, personal favorite chile is the Hatch, named for Hatch, New Mexico. We first came across this large, mild to hot pepper as we crossed southeastern Colorado several years ago. The markets, roadside stands and parking lots lining highway 50 boasted large tumble roasters grilling up bushels of Hatch chiles. You could catch the aroma long before you saw the grill. In mid-August our local HEB will be grilling up this year’s batch but get there early if you want them hot off the grill. The season for fresh chiles is short but there are many Hatch chile products available throughout the year.

Once you get past the pain of cleaning and seeding chiles you are rewarded with not only the wonderful flavor but also the healthful benefits of chiles. All members of the capsicum family contain large amounts of vitamins C and A. By weight, fresh peppers have about three times as much vitamin C as oranges and as much vitamin A as carrots. The capsaicin oil that causes your fingers to burn while cleaning them is being studied as a medicine. Capsaicin is the active ingredient of creams for painful skin and nerve conditions including shingles and neuralgia. It is being tested in cream form for diabetic neuropathy, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Pepper plants should be planted in the early summer after the soil has become warm. They grow best in loamy soil with organic matter and a little greensand added. Good drainageis important. Water frequently and feed once or twice during the season. A good way to preserve your pepper crop is to blacken the skin on the grill, remove the black and seeds then layer flat between sheets of waxed paper. Place these in zip topped freezer bags and freeze. These packets lay flat, taking up very little room. A few pieces make the base for Chile Rellenos casserole, chopped in salsas and chili, or added to all foods needing a bit of a kick.

Here’s an easy recipe using fresh fruits and peppers found at the Waxahachie Downtown Farmers Market open every Saturday morning through October.

Melon Salsa: Combine 1 cup each, honeydew, cantaloupe, and watermelon seeded and cubed, 2 jalapeno or other hot pepper, seeded and minced, juice of one lime, a small bunch chopped cilantro, mint and basil, salt and pepper to taste. Combine all. Refrigerate overnight for best flavor. Serve with chips, or over fish, shrimp, or chicken.

Article by: Arlene Hamilton, Ellis County Master Gardener