Chilli Plant Update - 20th October 2023

The chilli growing season is almost at an end for me. As of writing this it has been raining non-stop here in North Wales for the past 12 hours (nothing new there, really). I took the dog for a walk earlier and to my surprise the road in two sections was completely under water. We were unable to go around it so our only options were to turn around and go back the way we came or to wade through it, and so me being me I decided we'd wade through and get wet feet! All except one of my outdoor plants (El Oro de Ecuador) have now been taken down. The only plants I have left now are my two indoor Capsicum pubescens varieties growing in 5-litre pots (San Isidro Rocoto and Aji Largo), a small Malawi Bird's Eye plant growing in a 3-litre pot, two Prairie Fire plants growing in small pots (both of which have been extremely prolific all season), Papa Joe's Scotch Bonnet, Fatalii and Cap 500 (C. eximium). I'm contemplating on over-wintering my Malawi Bird's Eye plant and one of the indoor C. pubescens varieties, possibly San Isidro Rocoto. However, the jury is still undecided on that idea.

Guatemalan Orange Rocoto - 25th September 2023

Guatemalan Orange Rocoto - 1st October 2023

I picked the bulk of Cumari Pollux chillies whilst they were still green and they've now been pickled. I did the same last year. They make for a very tasty, albeit a very spicy, addition to rice dishes and they are also great with nachos. I can certainly see why the Brazilians are so fond of C. praetermissum varieties!

Cumari Pollux - 3rd October 2023

Cumari Pollux - 3rd October 2023

Pickled Cumari Pollux Chillies - 6th October 2023

I've also made five jars of assorted pickled chillies and they should be ready in about four weeks. Last year I vowed that I'd pickle more chillies because they're so delicious, and when you're done eating the chillies you're also left with some nice spicy vinegar to sprinkle over your chips (fries to those of you across the pond).

Pickled Chillies - 6th October 2023

Pickled Chillies - 16th October 2023

A couple of weeks ago I made a batch of my Habanero hot sauce so I could use up some of the remainder of last year's chillies. I'll be making another batch soon, but it will have to go into jars instead because all of my bottles are now currently in use. My recipe for making Habanero hot sauce has remained pretty much unchanged for over 10 years and I make it using a pressure cooker, which gives me a bit more control over the water content.

Spicemad's Habanero Hot Sauce - 7th October 2023

Here are a few photos showing some of my chilli harvests over the past several weeks. I now have a lot of chillies to get through. The chilli freezer is jam packed and I couldn't fit any more in if I tried. I also have quite a few ripe Fatalii chillies and Papa Joe's Scotch Bonnet chillies ready for picking.

Chilli Harvest - 9th September 2023

Chilli Harvest - 15th September 2023

Chilli Harvest - 25th September 2023

Chilli Harvest - 3rd October 2023

Chilli Harvest - 11th October 2023

Aji Charapita - 3rd October 2023

I hope your growing season has been as bountiful as mine. Given how much rain we had throughout the summer here in North Wales I'm surprised that the plants did as well as they did to be honest. Even my outdoor plants did much better than I'd anticipated. Anyhow, I'm now going to make a nice spicy meatball curry with boiled rice and mixed vegetable pakoras. The fire brigade are on standby just in case! All hail the Chilli Gods. 👿