Hatch Chiles are Here!

'hot' hatch chiles from the venerable Renton Fred Meyer

I was so excited when I got my big grocer's ad featuring hatch chiles.  Once only available regionally, near Hatch, New Mexico, these peppers are only available for about 6 weeks each year.  Hatch chiles do not refer to one specific species.  Hatch chiles vary greatly in heat and can represent anywhere from 6-15 varieties
http://www.hatchchilefest.com/
More importantly, these peppers are delicious.  They each have their own character, and all pack lots of flavor.

Fortunately,  many national grocers including Kroger, Safeway, and Whole Foods  sell Hatch peppers.  Unfortunately, they treat them in much the same way they sell heirloom tomatoes.  The tomatoes are all specific varieties(cultivars) each with their own unique characteristics, and yet the grocery stores set them all out together randomly, which sort of misses the point of wanting heirloom tomatoes.  With Hatch peppers, they do a bit better.  Most stores identify according to heat level.

The reality, however, is that there are at least 6 different varieties of hatch peppers that have their own characteristics.  This includes: Big Jim, Barker, R-Naky, New Mexico #20, Sandia, and New Mexico 6-4.

What they have in common is a generally similar appearance to anaheim peppers(a bit darker), or occasionally, very large jalapenos. They tend to be 6-12" in length.

I regret that I have not made a post sooner.  I have been spending most of my time since last Wednesday hunting down these peppers, quizzing grocers, buying them, roasting them, sweating, peeling and preserving them.  These are some really great peppers and I hope everyone gets a chance to enjoy them during this short season.  If you happen to shop in south Seattle or Renton and can't find these peppers, I probably owe you an apology.