It’s Hatch Chile Season!
Durangoans really love chiles and none more than the delectable green capsicum variety that flourishes around neighboring Hatch, N.M. Now the last few weeks of summer herald the arrival of fresh chiles by the truckload. They are for sale at festivals, restaurants, and markets and are the centerpieces of recipe contests and celebrations in and around New Mexico.
And, in the coming weeks, Nature’s Oasis is holding chile roastings. Public chile roastings are a community activity in New Mexico during chile season, and though you can find them in farmers markets here on occasion, they’re not as common as you’d think (or hope). Of course, you can just roast your chiles yourself, either over a grill, under a broiler, or over a gas flame. Steam the chiles after they’re roasted, either in a paper bag or a bowl covered with plastic wrap, then pull off the charred bits (don’t rinse them off). Some people like to remove the seeds too, although you needn’t. Then you can do anything with them you like. My favorite: grill corn tortillas, then fold up a roasted chile and a bit of goat cheese inside, and cook until the cheese has softened. Great with a bowlful of salsa verde. And maybe some more chiles.
You can stop by Nature’s Oasis and pick up fresh roasted chiles now through the end of October.
