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Check out what's hot!
Southern New Mexico has become famous for its chile over the last decade or so. Here in Hidalgo County we not only grow many varieties of mild, medium, hot, and extra hot chile, but we also have our very own chile processing plant!
Farmers in our region have to take great care in growing the chile. Did you know that if you want really mild chile, you irrigate more frequently? Near drought conditions for chile will make the plants produce chile so hot it will make you sneeze, cough and choke all the while your nose is draining and your eyes are watering. Believe it or not most long time chile eaters crave the hot, spicy chile. The hotter the better!
Our local restaurants advertise their authentic Mexican dishes with names of local farmers who grow great chile and people travel from miles around during harvest time to buy and ship chile by the bags. chile that is not roasted can be kept for long periods of time in cool places and used when needed. When its roasted right away it can be easily cleaned and frozen to be used when desired.
Many fields of chile are left to ripen a rich, crimson red to be picked and dried. There are as many uses for the red chile as for the green. The red can be canned while still soft, or crushed once they are dry to be used for sauces and salsa for which the southwest in known. Beautiful red chile ristras and wreaths hang for decoration from the walls of many homes and businesses in our area. The vibrant color of the chile brightens up the décor and bring a warm traditional southwestern feel to the many residents and visitors in our county.
Santa Fe Ingredients, our local chile processing plant employs many people to pick and process the chile that is shipped all over the country.
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