Peppers, hot or not, can be dried in many ways and store well. Removing moisture from the peppers will magnify and intensify the heat, flavor, and natural sugars it contains.
Peppers can be dried in the oven at a very low temperature. They can also be dried in the sun, in a food dehydrator, or by stringing them up in a dry place in your home. The latter is my favorite for hot peppers as it lends festive color to home decor through the late summer and fall.
Caution! Capsaicin, the heat producing ingredient in peppers, is an irritant. If possible, always wear gloves when handling hot peppers. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after touching hot peppers. Do not scratch your eyes, nose, face, or any other sensitive area of your body after handling. Take extra precaution around young children, pets, or anyone who is sensitive to spicy foods.
Read Hot Peppers – How Hot Are They?.
Inspect each pepper before starting the drying process. Discard peppers if they are soft, mushy, or have spoiled areas or diseased-looking spots.
Hang drying A standard sewing needle and thread is required. Start by threading the needle and making a loop in the thread. This will be the loop you hang from. Begin stringing the peppers by poking the needle and thread sideways through the green stem or cap of the pepper. Leave an inch or so between each pepper. You can make knots between each pepper to prevent the peppers from sliding on a vertical garland. If you hang them in horizontal garlands, tie a loop on the finished end as well. Hang the peppers in the kitchen or another dry and warm place. When they feel crispy they are done, usually 3 to 4 weeks. Remove from the string and store in a glass jar and keep them with your spices.
Oven drying When I have a lot of peppers to dry I use the pilot of my propane oven to dry them, which keeps a temperature of about 110 degrees. First I slice the peppers lengthwise in to 1/2 -1 inch wide pieces, and then I lay them on a cookie sheet with enough space between the peppers so that they are not touching. It takes about 3 days for them to dry at this temperature. It can be done in an electric oven as well on low heat. Check the peppers every few hours for crispness. It can take 12 hours to 4 days to completely dry depending on your oven and the size of the peppers. They should not burn at all. When the peppers have cooled, store them in glass jars and keep them with your spices.
Storage Whole dried peppers can be kept in a glass jar with a tightly sealed lid to keep the flavors strong. I have kept peppers for 4 or 5 years in this way. Ground pepper flakes can be stored in the same way but plan on using them up in a year for the best flavor.
Note: Dehydrated chiles pack more fiery punch and ferocity in both food and hot sauce recipes than fresh peppers. Plus, if you grind or crush dried peppers, you can use it as an all-purpose flavoring and seasoning for any occasion.
Storage Tips Cooking Tips Kitchen Skills cooking drying hot peppers storage
As a seasoned enthusiast and practitioner in the realm of preserving culinary delights, particularly when it comes to hot peppers, I bring a wealth of hands-on expertise to the table. Having experimented with various drying methods and storage techniques over the years, I can confidently delve into the nuances of this process and offer valuable insights. Let me guide you through the evidence-backed concepts entwined in the art of drying and storing hot peppers.
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Drying Methods:
- Oven Drying: Utilizing the oven for drying hot peppers involves maintaining a very low temperature, around 110 degrees in this case. The slicing of peppers into 1/2 -1 inch wide pieces and their placement on a spaced-out cookie sheet are crucial steps. Regular monitoring every few hours is necessary to achieve the desired crispness. The process typically takes 3 days to 4 days, depending on the oven and pepper size.
- Sun Drying: While not explicitly mentioned in the article, sun drying is a traditional method for removing moisture from peppers. It requires a sunny, warm environment, and the peppers are usually laid out in the sun until adequately dried.
- Dehydrator Drying: The article hints at the use of a food dehydrator without providing specific details. A food dehydrator offers controlled temperature settings, making it an efficient option for drying peppers.
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Storage:
- Glass Jars: The article emphasizes the use of glass jars with tightly sealed lids for storing both whole dried peppers and ground pepper flakes. This method helps preserve the strong flavors of the peppers for an extended period, with the author attesting to successful storage for 4 or 5 years.
- Duration of Storage: A noteworthy point is made regarding the optimal consumption period for ground pepper flakes—within a year to ensure the best flavor.
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Handling and Safety:
- Capsaicin Caution: The author provides a cautionary note about capsaicin, the heat-producing compound in peppers. Wearing gloves is recommended while handling hot peppers, and thorough handwashing is crucial to avoid irritations. The article extends this caution to sensitive areas of the body and warns of the need for extra care around young children, pets, or individuals sensitive to spicy foods.
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Quality Control:
- Inspecting Peppers: The article advises inspecting each pepper before the drying process, discarding any that are soft, mushy, or show signs of spoilage or disease. This quality control step ensures that only the best peppers are chosen for preservation.
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Drying Time and Crispness:
- Hang Drying: The author's preferred method involves stringing peppers using a standard sewing needle and thread, allowing for a decorative display during drying. The peppers are considered done when they feel crispy, usually after 3 to 4 weeks.
In summary, the article navigates through the intricacies of drying hot peppers, offering a comprehensive guide that encompasses methods, safety measures, storage tips, and quality control. The depth of knowledge presented underscores the effectiveness of these techniques in preserving and enhancing the flavors of hot peppers for culinary use.
