Freezing chillis

[redser]

Hi - I've read lots on here about how well chillis freeze and have been doing it for a while now. Thing is I ended up with a huge crop from only 3 plants and have more to pick. Way more than we will use in a year (we're not HUGE chilli users). So I was wondering what's the longest people think they will be ok frozen? I'm thinking not to grow any next year and use the limited tunnel space for extra sweet peppers instead. And this year's chillis will get us through to 2014.
Cheers

[rustylady]

Have you tried making chilli jam Redser?

[binley100]

my thoughts xactly .........

[veggiechicken]

I'm not a chilli eater but if somebody could explain the benefits of freezing them over drying, I'd be grateful

[binley100]

Not sure really . I've always just chucked them in the freezer ........

[roitelet]

If Redser has as many as I have from one plant no amount of freezing or chilli jam will use them up. I just gave the surplus away!!

[darcyvuqua]

I have done both and in my opinion i think chillies lose a little heat in the freezer and get stronger (hotter) with drying i was going to make chilli jam but im a chilli lover and i have eaten 85% of the chillies ive grown this year

[Newton]

Dried chillies give a different flavour to a dish than fresh chillies. Many dishes call for both. Freezing is a way of keeping the chillies fresh!

Go for both......I use a dehydrator.....brilliant!

[darcyvuqua]

i have been looking at getting a dehydrator but have ummed and ahhhed what one do you have mate

[redser]

Thanks for the replies Havn't tried the jam yet. Have some recipes printed out to try ... sometime.
Cheers

[binley100]

you don't need a dehydrator to dry chillies. Just use a needle with strong thread through the stalks and hang them up somewhere dry , warm and airy .

[Newton]

I have a stockli

Find Stockli Dehydrators At UK Juicers Online Store

Like this one........

Bins.......you are correct but I find it much quicker to get the result. Drying naturally in our climate is a bit hit and miss.

Besides you cant make fruit leathers with a pin and string. I've dried foraged chanterelles recently too!

[Lisamcflisa]

i've made my own version of lazy chilli, blended them and then seeds and all put them in sterilised jars with white/red/cider vinegar, store in the fridge. you could that a go

[Alison]

Back to the original query, I quite happily keep things frozen and use for way longer than people say you can, if the flavour has deteriorated then I'll bin them but I'd be quite happy to use frozen chillies well over a year after they were frozen. I tend to freeze them ready chopped so they can just be thrown into the dish as and when I need them. Re drying, never used my dehydrator for chillies (fab for tomatoes, leathers, mushrooms and even courgettes) or gone to the trouble of using cotton. Just put them on a saucer on the window ledge and yet nature take it's course. When dry put in jam jar and use as necessary. As said above, dried are totally different (but just as useful) to fresh / frozen ones.

[redser]

Thanks a million Alison. Will try drying some too.
Surely some tissue paper would do the job just as well though.