If you love chile peppers, now is a special time of year: Hatch chiles are in season and being delivered to stores fresh from their home of New Mexico, USA. These chiles get their name from the Hatch region of New Mexico where they are grown.
It’s easy to mistake a Hatch chile for another chile — the Anaheim, named after the city in California. While these peppers are similar in color, shape, and size, Hatch peppers have a distinctive flavor. I wish I could transmit it to you as you read this, but it’s one you’ll just have to experience yourself. For now, just know that it’s intense, vibrant, and delicious.
It’s like an Anaheim, but in high definition, lol.
Are Hatch Chiles Hot?
Well, they can be. Hatch peppers are available in a variety of spiciness levels, from medium to extra hot. I bought a few bags of medium and found their heat to be less than that of a Jalapeno. As with all peppers, though, each will vary.
How To Use Hatch Chiles
You can buy Hatch peppers raw or roasted, and they can be eaten raw or roasted. But they really are best when cooked, especially when roasted over a flame. Some stores hold special events where they bring out a big metal drum, fill it with Hatch chiles, and roast them over a flame.
The process only takes a few minutes, and it transforms the chiles from raw to charred. I had the opportunity to see this in person last week at a local grocer, Frazier Farms. It was a sight to behold, and the aroma was fantastic.
From there it’s easy to peel off the skins (which can be tough), and use the flesh. Personally, I don’t mind eating the skins.
If you buy the peppers raw, it’s easy to cook them yourself. This can be done in a skillet, under a broiler, or over a flame on a grill.
From there, you can use these chiles any way you would another. Use them in eggs, quesadillas, on nachos, or any way you can imagine. Heck, I put some in mac ‘n’ cheese the other night and it was terrific.
Check out my video to know even more about these peppers — and how you can still enjoy them out of season.