Learn How To Roast Hatch Green Chili

1. Learn How To Roast Hatch Green Chili Hatch chilies are a popular type of green chile pepper grown in the Hatch Valley of New Mexico. They are known for their rich flavor and medium spiciness. Hatch chilies have a delicious earthy and sweet taste that makes them a beloved ingredient in Southwestern and New Mexico cuisine. When harvested, Hatch chilies can be enjoyed fresh or dried. However, many people prefer to roast fresh Hatch chilies before eating them or using them for recipes. Roasting brings out more of the flavors and gives the chilies a delightful charred taste. It also helps remove the skin more easily. 1.Selecting Fresh Hatch Chilies When selecting fresh Hatch chilies for roasting, choose ones that have smooth, shiny skins and no soft spots. They should look fresh and firm all over. The size that works best for roasting is about 6 to 8 inches long. You can find fresh Hatch chilies in late summer and early fall when they are in season. Many grocery stores and farmer's markets in the Southwest will carry them. You may also be able to order them directly from Hatch Chili Farms in New Mexico. 2.Preparing Hatch Chilies for Roasting Before roasting, you need to prepare the fresh chilies. Start by rinsing them under cool water to remove any dirt. Make sure not to soak them or keep them wet for long. Use a paper towel or clean dish towel to gently pat them dry. It helps to roast Hatch chilies if you leave the stems on. So try not to break these off while prepping or storing the chilies before roasting day. Having stems helps protect the delicate chili skins and keep them intact. Moreover, you can roast New Mexico green chiles whole while another option is to cut large ones in half lengthwise first. This exposes more skin to the heat for charring. 3.Choosing a Roasting Method There are a few different methods you can use at home to roast Hatch chilies. The oven or outdoor grill works very well. Some people even use a gas stove top burner. Here is an overview: Oven Method: ●Preheat the oven to 425°F. ●Place whole cleaned chilies on a baking sheet. ●Roast for 15-20 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Grill Method: ●Prepare a hot grill for direct high-heat cooking. ●Place whole chilies directly on the grates.

2. ●Roast for 10-15 minutes, turning as needed. Stovetop Method: ●Turn the burner to high heat. ●Use tongs to char chilies directly over the flame. ●Rotate continuously for 10-15 minutes. 4.Roasting the Hatch Chilies As the Hatch chilies roast, use tongs occasionally to turn them so all sides get evenly blackened and blistered. Try to avoid over or under-cooking certain spots. The skins should look fully charred and almost burnt when done. While roasting, be cautious of the spatters and fumes that may come from the chilies as they release steam and oils. Ventilate your kitchen well and do not breathe it in too closely. The pepper vapors can irritate the lungs and sinuses. During the roasting, you want the chili skins to blister and loosen but not burn completely through. Be very careful not to burn or cook the tender inner peppers and flesh. 5.Cooling and Peeling the Hatch Chilies After roasting to your desired amount of charring, immediately place the cooked chilies into a covered bowl or a sealed paper bag. Let them sit for 10-15 minutes. This helps trap in steam and moisture which further loosens the blistered skins for the next peeling step. Once cooled, gently peel the charred skin off of each roasted chili. Don't run water over the peppers yet or it will wash away flavorful oils. Discard all peeled skins. Most of the thin peel should rub off fairly easily after roasting. For any stubborn spots, use a paring knife to gently help scrape additional skin pieces off the pepper flesh. Removing all of the charred exteriors helps reveal the tender roasted chili underneath. 6.Preserving Roasted Hatch Chilies At this point after roasting and peeling, you can enjoy fresh Hatch chilies right away in your favorite recipes. Their texture becomes ideal for chopping, dicing, or slicing. You can also easily freeze extra roasted chilies prepped in the following ways: ●Leave whole with stem ●Cut in halves or strips ●Chop chunks and place them in freezer bags For longer freezer storage, first laying the roasted chilies flat on a sheet pan to fully freeze helps prevent clumping later on when transferred into bags. When ready to enjoy, defrost what you need and add to dishes. Roasted frozen Hatch chilies retain great flavor for about 4-6 months in the freezer. Another method for preserving roasted chilies is canning or jar storage. First, sterilize clean jars and lids. Then tightly pack roasted pepper pieces into each jar, leaving 1 inch of headspace at the

3. top. Pour in enough hot water to cover green or red chiles fully then seal the jars for shelf storage for up to a year. 7.Delicious Ways to Enjoy Roasted Hatch Chilies ●Put strips of roasted chilies in cheese quesadillas. ●Chop up small pieces of roasted chilies into scrambled eggs. ●Blend roasted chilies to make a tasty sauce. ●Add pieces of roasted chilies to the soup. ●Mix chopped roasted chilies into casseroles with beans, corn, and cheese. ●Cook bite-size pieces of roasted chilies with Mexican rice. ●Add roasted chilies to taco meat fillings. ●Stuff tortillas with roasted chilies, cheese, and sauce. ●Fill roasted chilies with cheese. Conclusion Learning how to properly roast Hatch chilies helps you experience New Mexico’s signature crop in its quintessential tasty form. At MADE IN NEW MEXICO, we take pride in offering the highest quality of fresh roasted Hatch chilies and authentic New Mexico food products. Our commitment to excellence ensures that you experience the rich flavors of New Mexico food. FAQs How can I tell if Hatch chilies are fresh and good for roasting? When selecting Hatch chilies, ensure they have smooth, shiny skins without any soft spots. Opt for chilies that are approximately 6 to 8 inches long. Look for them in late summer or early fall at local grocery stores or farmers markets. How do I store roasted Hatch chilies? For preservation, you can freeze the chilies whole, in strips, or chopped. Alternatively, you can also use them for a longer shelf life.