Hi Dave,I have a pepper garden in planters. I have limited space and I am concerned with cross pollination. I have serrano, Anaheim, yellow bell, tabasco, cayenne, habanero, poblano, and jalapeno. Do I need to worry about cross pollination and if so what should I do about it? Do you recommend to prune suckers from plants? How about any kind …
Using Bat Guano
Hello Dave!I’m on the horns of a dilemma. This year I bought bat guano, as usual, to fertilize my pepper plants. When doing so they said that they had two different kinds, one from Mexican bats (which had a higher nitrogen content), and the other domestic bat guano, which has a nutrient ratio of 3-8-1. I opted for the latter …
Another Hottest Chile Question
Dear Dave:I remember reading somewhere (Smithsonian magazine, maybe) that the Habanero was not the hottest pepper. Instead the honor goes to some variety with tiny pods that grows in the deserts along the Mexican border. If that’s true, I have two questions:1). What’s the name of that chile? 2). Has it ever been domesticated?Love your books. In advance, thanks.PaulHello Paul:The …
Candied Peppers?
Hi Dave:Great story on Parma–I have to say that I was totally intrigued by the thought of a "candied" pepper. ( I am especially fond of sweet-hot flavors.) Have you guys ever come across a recipe for something similar? Thanks,Carolyn Hello Carolyn:Chile peppers are fruits, so use any recipe in say, Joy of Cooking, for candied fruits, and that should …
Shelf Life
Dave,For the past year I have been experimenting with two recipes: 1) dried chiles, dried herbs, salt, water, very small amounts of vinegar and 2) same ingredients, but including fresh, roasted chiles. I have been receiving requests (and cash orders!) from family and friends for my hot sauces, but I am afraid that they may not eat the sauce as …