Cayenne Pepper

[SawPaw]

I currently have quite a few of these on the go and some of the chillis/peppers are rather large but still green

Do they go red on the plant or do I have to pick them beforehand?

Any advice gratefully received.

P.

[shirlthegirl43]

You can use them green or wait for them to go red. I overwintered a Cayenne once, just brought it into the house and watered minimally while it wasn't doing anything. Got a great crop the next year

[falkon]

if you want to make powder out of it wait for it to turn red and dry... otherwise green chillies are great in salads and in food when they are fried lightly.. you can also pickle them while green..


It is a hot pickle, you can make it with ginger and/or garlic. it lasts for a year or longer, if you follow the sterilizing techniques properly.

Ingredients

• 500 gm. green chillies
• 2 tbs. salt
• 1 tsp. turmeric powder
• 2 tsp. fennel seeds or sonf (optional)
• 2 tsp. mustard seeds, coarsely ground.
• 2 tbs. mustard oil*, enough to make a paste
• 2-3 tbs. vinegar
• *Mustard oil should always be heated to smoking point first and allowed to cool completely, before adding it to the pickle.
Instructions

1. Wash green chillies and dry thoroughly by leaving them in the hot sun for a few hours or by leaving them on a towel in a warm room overnight. (Any water will make the pickle turn to mould very quickly).
2. Slice chillies thickly.
3. Heat mustard oil until it smokes and then cool it.
4. Place Chillies, all spices, salt and mustard oil in a bowl and mix well.
5. Fill in sterilised glass jars and leave in the sun or on a sunny window sill for one week. It can be eaten within 3-4 days.
6. Once the pickle is ready, keep in the fridge if possible.

Notes

• Sliced ginger and/or garlic can also be added if desired.
• A pinch of Sodium Benzoate added to pickles, acts as preservative and helps to keep them for longer without getting spoiled.

[rustylady]

My Cayenne have just started turning red. Picked 5 now, but you can use them green. Normous crop this year.

[rustylady]

if you want to make powder out of it wait for it to turn red and dry..

I don't leave mine on the plant to dry, I pick them red and hang in the kitchen to dry.

[falkon]

I don't leave mine on the plant to dry, I pick them red and hang in the kitchen to dry.

yes, sure not on a plant..

[SawPaw]

Thanks to everyone, I just need to be a little more patience then. Will pick some tomorrow and use some as doing a mad bulk cooking sesh over the weekend.

[jimfin]

Only One Chilli

I also have a cayenne Chilli plant that I bought this year. But so far I can only see one green chilli on it!!!
Am I doing something wrong? Will it last till next year?