What to make with all the Hatch Chiles

What the heck are Hatch Chiles, you ask and what can I make with them?  Hatch chiles have an addictive heat, whether you like it mild, medium, hot or extra hot.  Add them to just about anything where you want some added heat…eggs, dips, sauces, an award-winning chile and even desserts.  See my recipes below.  When I was in New Mexico last month, we were served chile sauce with every meal.  The question you will be presented with is do you want red or green.  If you are really in the know, you reply, Christmas!, which means red AND green, side by side. The green chile sauce is generally hotter and comprised of fresh chiles, while the red sauce is made from dried New Mexico chiles.

The state of New Mexico is proud of their chiles, as well as Georgia O’Keefe.  So much that they decorate their homes with ristras, which are artfully strung dried New Mexico chiles that hang from the eaves of their homes. Hatch chiles take this chile loving to another level.  In the Hatch valley of New Mexico located near the southern border is where the Hatch chiles are grown and are sent to supermarkets around the country only in the months of August and September.  It’s during this season that chile lovers go crazy.  Hatch, New Mexico holds an annual Hatch Chile Festival in 100+ degree heat to celebrate the fruits (or veggies) of their harvest during Labor Day weekend.

However, all you need to get your Hatch on, is to go to your local supermarket right now and pick up as many chiles as you dare. There are even Hatch Chile roastings at many stores, which takes all the work out of it.  Click here to see if there’s one near you. Melissa’s Hatch Chile Roastings.  Frieda’s Hatch Chile Roastings

NOT ALL HATCH CHILES ARE ALIKE!

While the chiles carry no label and all look alike, they come in different varieties – mild, medium, hot, extra hot and if you really dare, super extra hot.  Your supermarket will probably label the box they come in, so make note when you purchase them and if you get more than one type, keep them separate.

I usually roast some of my own chiles on a gas grill which is super easy.  Just let the skin char on all sides.  To make the job easier, place the chiles in a bag after roasting to let steam for 20+ minutes.  This helps the skin pull away easily from the chile.

WEAR PLASTIC GLOVES TO AVOID POTENTIAL BURNS FROM THE HOT CHILES.  DO NOT TOUCH EYES AFTER HANDLING CHILES.

Using plastic gloves to handle the chiles, discard the peelings and the seed pod.  The chile still has the heat once the seed pod is removed.

You will just pull on the stem and most of the seed pod will come out with it.

Scrape away any remaining seeds.  You can rinse the chiles lightly, but too much water will wash away the flavor from the roasting.

Your chiles are now ready for freezing or for use in your recipe.  Line them up on waxed or parchment paper and then layer them in a zipper bag.  Lie flat in the freezer until frozen.

Now you’ve got to try some of my favorite Hatch chile recipes.

Click here for the recipe. Roasted Chile and Artichoke Dip (Use the hot ones for this).

Click here for the recipe. Hatch Chile and Juliet Tomato Quiche 

Click here for the recipe. Hatch Chile con Carne

Click here for the recipe.  Red Tomato Gazpacho

Click here for the recipe. Mango Chile Ginger Cobbler

 

You will notice Hatch Chile in many products on the shelf now. If you miss the Hatch chile season altogether, do not fret, the Hatch chile is related to the light green Anaheim chile pepper, which was brought to Anaheim, California to grow and is available year round.  It’s heat is equivalent to a mild New Mexico chile.   I use the green Anaheim chile in place of the Hatch or New Mexico chile in my recipes when needed.  Also, you can purchase dried red Hatch chiles year round or ground Hatch Chile in both red and green from Melissa’s Produce.

What’s happening in Hatch, New Mexico when they are not growing chiles?  Onions are a winter crop in Hatch, New Mexico.

Numerous products are sold with Hatch chile already in them. Here we are enjoying some Hatch chile cheese and Hatch Chile Clean Snax while tailgating at the Santa Fe Opera.

Put the Santa Fe Opera on your bucket list.  The sunsets you see beyond the stage are indescribable and simply magical.  It’s one of those things you must experience for yourself!  Just like a Hatch chile!!!