Dry Chilies
Drying chili peppers is an ideal way to preserve an abundant harvest or leftover supply for future use. Dried chilies are very versatile, and when done correctly, you can use them as-is or re-constitute (hydrate) them in water. Either way, drying chili peppers provides you with an additional way to utilize this incredible vegetable. Knowing how to dry chilies properly depends upon several conditions, such as airflow, weather, and humidity levels. Choose whichever method works best for your environment to get the best results.
Contents
Steps
- Choose quality chilies for drying. Chilies that are chosen for drying should be completely mature and of full color. Do not use any chilies that have cuts, spots, or blemishes.
- Be aware that air-drying techniques only work in dry climates. Attempting to naturally air-dry in a humid climate can result in very moldy and soft produce.
Sun drying chilies
- Use a sharp knife to slice your chilies in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds.
- Identify a time when your local forecast calls for hot and Make the Most of a Sunny Day over a span of at least three days in a row. You can use your local weather channel, online forecasts, or newspapers to determine the forecast.
- Place the peppers cut-side down onto a Put a Cookie Sheet in the Oven, and place them in direct sunlight. While outside is best, you can also put them in a windowsill if necessary.
- Dry the peppers in the sun for a minimum of 8 hours. Turn the peppers over, so the cut-side is facing the sun, and allow them to continue drying.
- Cover the cookie sheet at dusk with a clean bed sheet or towel to prevent bugs from attacking or eating your peppers. At first light the next morning, remove the sheet so the peppers can continue to dry.
- Remove the dried chilies from the sheet once you are able to break the chilies apart easily between your fingertips. Store them in a sealed container for future use.
Use the oven to dry chilies
- Preheat your oven to 175 degrees Fahrenheit (79 degrees Celsius). For a fan-forced oven, the temperature should be 40ºC.
- Place the peppers with the cut-sides down onto a cookie sheet. Only place them down in a single layer. The cookie sheet is best covered with a layer of taut Tea Dye Muslin, with the chilies sitting on the muslin.
- Place the sheet in your oven.
- Cook the chilies for around six to eight hours. You can choose to turn them once during the cooking process if you like, but it is not required. Once they start turning brown, they are dried. Be aware that drying time depends very much on the size of the chillies.
How to hang peppers
This method requires a dry air environment; if you attempt this in a moist, overly humid environment, the chilies may grow moldy.
- Cut a long thread. You can use cooking,polyester or nylon thread and calculate how long will you need depending on how many chilies you have.
- Tie the stalks. Using the thread, tie the stalks close together as possible. You may also use a large needle and stitch their stalks together.
- Hang the pepper line in a well-ventilated room. Allow them to dry for a minimum of three weeks.
Tips
- Chilies freeze well.
- You can also dry the chili seeds in the same manner as the peppers. You can grind up the seeds in a pepper mill or blender, and use them to spice up recipes or meals in the same way you would use crushed red pepper flakes.
- If you are going to hang the peppers to dry, you will need a screened-in porch or other well-ventilated room where wind and air can flow freely.
- Keep the door propped open while drying the chilies.
- If you place your cookie sheets on a car roof or inside the bed of a pickup truck, this may accelerate the drying process. These locations both tend to be hot, and the reflective surfaces and will heat the tray from the bottom up.
- A food dehydrator can be used to dry chilies. Follow the manufacturer's directions.
- When sun-drying chilies, start as early in the morning as possible on the first day to take advantage of as much sunlight as possible.
- Drying time depends on the size of the chilies.
Warnings
- When working with chili peppers, you need to wear protective gloves and protective or safety goggles. The peppers and seeds contain oils that are capable of burning your eyes, ears, mouth, and skin. These protective items can minimize risk of injury.
Things You'll Need
- Chili peppers
- Cookie sheet
- Knife
- Protective gloves
- Protective or safety goggles
- Bed sheet or towel (optional)
- Oven (optional)
- Carpet needle (optional)
- Fishing line (optional)
- Wooden spoon (optional)
