Why do you grow Chillies?

[Flobalob]

I grew them for a few reasons..Foremost for the culinary aspect, such a versatile addition to many dishes. Yet when grown in pots and placed around the garden along with my Lemon trees it gave a certain mediterranean feel in the garden.
Most favourable though has been the delicious taste of the chutneys.

bottles+of+chutney+002.jpg (image)

[Two_Sheds]

Chilli & Bitter Dark Chocolete (70%) I think were made for each other.

mmmm....

[Naga]

I grow them because I LOVE chillies and love the heat from them and use them a lot of the time, I also like to grow them because I have a constant supply and I can pick and grow whatever types I want and don't have to spend hours run and the shops looking for a particular type of chilli.

[annacruachan]

I was given two 'houseplants' by a friend a couple of years ago. They turned out to be chillies, one an Apache type and one like a Brazilian Rainbow. They were so pretty and hardy and gave me a huge harvest. I had never cooked with chilli before, apart from the odd splash of tabasco in a pasta sauce, now I'm hooked! Unfortunately the Brazilian didn't make it over the winter, but the Apache is still going great guns and I got some cayenne seeds from Two Sheds this year which are also doing well. I have already got my seeds for next year - Albert Locoto and Hot Wenk's Yellow from Real Seeds - can't wait for February!

[HotStuff]

Very interesting to read all the replys, as TwoSheds referred to I was one of the ignorant up until 2 years ago, I didn't know you could grow your own Chillies in this country. The first year I had a couple of Apaches & that was great, so this year being a guy I've grown some very hot ones (Nagas). But now I'm hooked on ones that look good as well as being edible. My favourite is my Peruvian Purple. So what's your favourite variety to grow and why?

[FROSTYFRECKLE]

Two favourites for this year are Gelbe Krischen and the Iranian Red. Both are very pretty and were not badly attacked by greenfly (greenfly loved the Pretty in Purple). Taste wise both compliment one another. Tried a couple of each in my Spanish veg, which even if I do say so was delish. Very hot but had a spicy kick from the Iranian Red.

[gojiberry]

I usually grow a couple of varieties each year and just give the chillies away as OH isn't keen on hot spices, the best she can manage is a very mild curry. I do enjoy growing them though. I fancy growing some of the really hot ones but don't know anyone who would want them. Could always try freecycle.

Ian

[HotStuff]

Two favourites for this year are Gelbe Krischen and the Iranian Red. Both are very pretty and were not badly attacked by greenfly (greenfly loved the Pretty in Purple). Taste wise both compliment one another. Tried a couple of each in my Spanish veg, which even if I do say so was delish. Very hot but had a spicy kick from the Iranian Red.

And thanks to you FF, hopefully I will experience the Iranian Red for myself next year

[Jillyreeves]

Only started growing vegetable this year and just picked up a cheap packet of Jalapeño seed on day when out shopping, also acquired some Anaheim via a seed swap. Both have grown brilliantly, a lot easier than I expected. Now I'm hooked and will be growing a lot more next year.

They look and taste good too

[cupcake]

I tend to get obsessed with different things, chillis is one of my current ones! I grew Tepin by default a few years ago, and threw the plants away altho they were covered in the tiny pods as I didn't know what to do with them This year I have an overwintered cheyenne, lots in the freezer and some drying on a string in the kitchen. Lots of prairie fire, Scotch bonnets, Fatalli , chocolate habs and a naga, but I sowed alot of them too late so not podding. I have lots of pods on my rocottos, but they haven't ripened yet. I use them in all my casseroles, chillis, salsas, curries, stirfries, and I love chilli chocolate! If you want to save the pennies then Aldis isn't half bad.

[vikkib]

We tend to have a lot of stir fry / noddle dishes so I was buying a fair few chillies from the supermarket but not tonnes.

I got a packet of cheap 'patio sizzler' chilli seeds from wilkinsons this year as I was expecting to grow everything in tubs but didn't expect the to do too well... I'm amazed... I've got loads of chillies from the plants and I kept two of them indoors and these one's are still flowering and setting fruit!

The thing is I don't like thing super-very-hot but I've found myself strangely drawn to hotter and hotter varieties of seed so I've got a stash of 6 or so varieties that I want to try and grow for next year... I still don't really know why!

I think I like the look of them as plants and fruit and the possibility of chilli vodka is certainly upping the anti!

[sewer rat]

I use them in lots of cooking at home, I also put them in my veg boxes, sell them at Farmers Markets, and also make Chilli Jelly and Chilli Dipping Sauce which I always sell out of.
They sem to like my tunnel, crop heavily and this year I have a second flush of flowers that have just started to turn into baby chillies.

[HotStuff]

I use them in lots of cooking at home, I also put them in my veg boxes, sell them at Farmers Markets, and also make Chilli Jelly and Chilli Dipping Sauce which I always sell out of.
They sem to like my tunnel, crop heavily and this year I have a second flush of flowers that have just started to turn into baby chillies.

Don't suppose you'd care to share the recipes?

Mine have a second flush too, but I thought it was because of the Indian Summer we had down South in September, surprised to hear you're getting it up there too.

[coreopsis]

ak ak ... it's disgusting, it tastes fetid, like pond water

Thirsty on the allotment TS?

Try some again with apple juice