Preserving Chili Peppers

[RidgebackRanch]

We have some chili peppers that need to be harvested this weekend to encourage a second harvest. Normally I would roast them and make hot sauce but we are under a local open burn ban so that is not an option.

Does anybody know what would be the best way to preserve them for later use for the same purpose? When I make hot sauce the peppers are roasted on a charcoal grill and given a light smoke with water soaked wood chunks. Then they are pureed and sent through a food mill to remove seeds and skin.

Could I just blanch them, put in an ice bath and then freeze? Or should I roast them quickly with the weed torch and then freeze, or should I do something else?

Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks

 

[baymule]

Could you just freeze them right off the vine? Maybe try several different things, blanch some, weed torch some, see what works best.

 

[Jared77]

Creme brulee torch?

 

[Jared77]

Seriously though what about the food saver? Might be worth trying to halve them raw and save them that way. Then when its safe, put them on a grill grate or some kind of grill basket so you still have enough pepper to work with and then smoke them.

Just tossing out ideas here

 

[ninnymary]

Ridgeback, I roast mine on a comal (grill type pan) on the stove. You could probably use a cast iron griddle or just roast them over the flame on a gas stove.

Mary

 

[bj taylor]

a weed torch - what an idea. I love it.
I have some gorgeous chili peppers & didn't really know what to do with them. glad ridgebackranch brought it up

 

[NwMtGardener]

Yeah i've roasted peppers in the oven...they prolly wont have the same amazing smoked flavor you're used to though...

 

[MontyJ]

Is there no way to put a lid on your grill? Once they are frozen, I don't know how well they would take the smoke. Would this be an option? There are no open flames.

 

[ninnymary]

What about broiling them? I've heard that works.

Mary

 

[RidgebackRanch]

We do have a food saver. I think I'll try that and freeze them until I can fire up the Weber for half the day!

Thank you all for your input