Chilli help!!

[Daisylover]

Hi

This is the first  time that we have grown chilli's and they seem to be doing well. I was wondering if anyone can give me some tips on the best way to store, pickle or dry them.

cheers Jo

[Daisylover]

[beejay]

Last year I just left chillies in a bowl on the kitchen windowcill & they dried naturally. It wasn't something that I was particularly trying to do, it just happened!

[jennym]

I have stored chillis in olive oil. Dip in boiling water for 10 seconds, dry, cover with oil in jar. The chillis can be used and the oil can also be used in salads.

[Jill]

Just picked them and froze them on a tray before bagging last year.  Been taking out singly and using as "fresh" - they thaw in minutes.  Still got loads left and this year's (even bigger crop) are ripening fast.  Chilli overload help ;D ;D ;D

[Daisylover]

Thanks for all the tips, i'll try them all. Love the idea of the olive oil.
Cheers Jo

[Bagpuss74]

I rinsed them and then string them up with some nice thick thread through the stalk bit then left them to dry out in the kitchen.  They look and taste great - the stuff to rival what you might see hanging in Carluccio's window (make great Christmas presents for foodie friends also)! ;)

[daveandtara]

fab idea bagpuss  ;D

[tim]

Or, once again, in sherry!

[madmum]

they sound like they grew really well for you
which seed did you use?
I'd like to try growing some myself next year.

[flowerlady]

Me too madmum.   :)  I'd like to try some through the winter on the window cill in the kitchen.

Looks like some chilli recipes are going to be needed, have a couple somewhere, shall go and dig them out. ;)

[adam04]

leave them on the plant as long as you can, after a while they dry naturally, then you ca pick and store, either in the fridge or in anywhere cool and dark.

[Jill]

Read somewhere that picking off the ripe ones will encourage more flowering.  If I find the link I'll post it.  Harvested quite a few last week and have noticed a new crop of flower buds forming (despite the aphids >:().

[madmum]

Can I sow some indoors now?
If so which varierty should I be looking for, and do they need to be in a heated propogator?