What are Hatch Chile Peppers?
Hatch chile peppers are actually a generic name for New Mexican peppers that are grown and harvested in the Hatch Valley region, New Mexico. Located in the heart of the Rio Grande agricultural territory, Hatch, New Mexico, is often referred to as the Chili Capital of the World. The name “Hatch peppers” often refer to the type of chilies the area has brought to fame, regardless of where they were actually grown, though to be authentically called a Hatch pepper, the pods must be grown in the Hatch region. The annual Hatch Chile Festival occurs each Labor Day weekend and draws up to 30,000 people from around the world to the tiny town of less than 2,000 residents. They are an important part of the culture for anyone who lives in New Mexico. Legislators passed a law in 2012 that prohibits the sale of chili peppers with the label “New Mexican” unless actually grown in New Mexico, or they must include a disclaimer label of “Not Grown in New Mexico”. After several years of crossing and growing, he released a variety called New Mexico No. 9 in 1913. All New Mexican chili peppers owe their genetic base to these peppers. Today, chili pepper studies continue at the Chile Pepper Institute in New Mexico, founded by Paul Bosland in order to study New Mexican peppers and others from around the world.
NuMex Big Jim NuMex Sandia NuMex Joe E. Parker New Mexico 6-4 NuMex Heritage 6-4 NuMex Heritage Big Jim Barker Extra Hot NuMex R Naky
Some Hatch peppers can be even hotter, again depending on the variety. I’ve been told some can be on par with habanero pepper heat. They can be eaten raw, offering a crisp, spicy flavor and a mild pungency similar to an onion, though they are typically roasted which gives them a smoky, rich, earthier, sometimes buttery flavor. Hatch green chiles offer a bit more bite, while aging them to ripened red Hatch chiles mellows them and the heat they deliver from an initial bite to more of a blooming back heat. Locals enjoy cooking and eating their Hatch peppers as either a pureed red chili sauce or a green chili sauce, and I can tell you from personal experience that both versions are extremely flavorful.
Pork Chili with Roasted Red Hatch Peppers Roasted Hatch Chile-Beer Mustard Spicy Pork-Hatch Chile Casserole One Pan Hatch Chile-Cheese Dip Hatch Chile Salsa Find More Hatch Chile Pepper Recipes
This is referred as Hatch chile season. They are easily preserved and extremely delicious this way. I enjoy both roasted Hatch chile and fresh chile. I’ve used poblano peppers as a substitute and was quite happy. You really want to find a good thicker walled chili pepper to sub in for Hatch chiles, something with a milder level of heat. Where Can You Buy Hatch Chile Peppers? Here are my recommendations. Got any questions? Ask away! I’m happy to help. I hope you’ll leave a comment below. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! — Mike H. This post was updated on 7/30/19 with new information and photos. It was originally published on 9/20/13.
