10 Ways to Use Hatch Chile Peppers

My husband and I look forward to August and September every year? And no, it’s not back to school that gets us excited. It’s the season for Hatch chile peppers! Or just Hatch as a lot of people in this part of the country call them.

Before moving to Texas, I’d tried fresh Hatch peppers a few times but it wasn’t offered everywhere and I never noticed being able to buy them fresh in the grocery store. I did and still do, use the canned Hatch green chiles in my King Ranch Chicken but aside from that Hatch didn’t get a lot of love from this family.

If you’re not familiar with Hatch chile peppers, they’re grown in Hatch Valley, New Mexico. The only place in the world with soil and climate conditions to produce their unique flavor. They’re available in mild and hot varieties, so if getting sweaty and your tongue swelling isn’t your thing you can still enjoy the one-of-a-kind flavor of these peppers. But if you’ve purchased/consumed many peppers, you know there are wide variances even within the same pepper. A friend of mine won the Central Market Hatch Festival recipe contest several years ago and picked up this tidbit while there: hot and mild Hatch peppers are grown from the same seeds. It’s the amount of water they receive that determines the final heat of the pepper. No water equals an angry, hot pepper.

In Texas, Hatch is the flavor of late summer. Our local grocery chains celebrate it, there are recipe/cooking contests, and even food tours at restaurants. Inspired by all the Hatch I still have in my fridge and that will soon be making it’s way to my freezer, I set off to find some Hatch chile recipes to inspire me.

 

{Photo Credits: Roasted Hatch Chile Cornbread; Roasted Hatch Chile Pepper Hummus © 2012 Stephanie Weaver. Used with permission; Pan-Fried Hatch Green Chile Burgers}

Roasted Hatch Chile Cornbread – You know what I’m thinking when I see this recipe? Using a sweet cornbread mix with the Hatch chiles. That would give it such an awesome sweet and spicy taste!

Hatch Chile Corn Fritters – Hatch Chiles are a good way to add color and flavor to corn fritters!

Pan-Fried Hatch Green Chile Burgers – Looking for a way to spice up your burgers? Add some Hatch chiles!

Roasted Hatch Chile Pepper Hummus – I love hummus made with peppers, and I bet using Hatch chiles gives it a nice kick!

Scalloped Potatoes with Roasted Hatch Chiles – The spicy peppers give this creamy dish a pop!

Hatch Chile Chimichurri – This easy-to-make sauce is great for a variety of foods.

Stuffed Hatch Chile Peppers – I’ve stuffed bell peppers before but nothing like a Hatch Chile. I’m betting this would be good! And, did you notice the size of the peppers? They’re huge!

Salsa with Hatch Chiles – Mmmm – I bet these chiles make salsa nice and spicy – just the way I like it!

Hatch Chile Baked Penne – Take regular baked pasta up a notch by adding some Hatch chiles!

Hatch Chile Enchilada Casserole – Give your Mexican food some extra spice with these peppers!

Do you like Hatch chile peppers? What’s your favorite way to use Hatch?