Red Hot Chili Peppers

I love Autumn! It is the time of year when the street vendors set up on the side of the road to sell their Chile Pepper Ristras. In September the chile peppers mature to a vibrant red color. The peppers are traditionally harvested and strung into colorful strings called ristras. The chile is allowed to dry in the warm sun, then is stored on the ristra for using in cooking delicious Mexican dishes. The peppers are soaked in water to rehydrate, then blended to a hot and spicy puree.

 

 

Chile Ristras are often used as a decoration in the southwest. You will find them hanging on front doors to greet visitors or hanging inside the home. The ristras are different sizes according to the type of chile peppers. These are very small bundles, but some ristras are over two feet long! They can also be formed to heart shapes or circles to make a lovely wreath to adorn your door.

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