Ristra question (university, garage, places) - Albuquerque - New Mexico (NM) - City-Data Forum

spottie · 10-23-2009, 01:52 PM

I can't seem to find an answer to this with google, so I thought maybe someone out here can tell me. I recently made a bunch of ristras - they aren't dry yet. Am I going to need to tote them into the garage or something when we are getting a freeze? It seems like that would make them all squishy before they are dry. Anyone know?

mortimer · 10-23-2009, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spottie

Am I going to need to tote them into the garage
or something when we are getting a freeze?
... before they are dry. ...

As long as the garage is not a humid
place they will continue to dry.

If the air is colder, stuff will dry slower, but still continue to dry.

There's nothing wrong with hanging them inside your house.
I would think they would look good in places.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spottie

It seems like that would make them all squishy

It seems to me that they would tend toward squishiness
by freezing them before they were all dry.

Poncho_NM · 10-23-2009, 03:42 PM

We made some about 10 years ago. We just hung them up to dry in the sun, but don't remember if they encountered freezing temperatures.

Here is an article from New Mexico State University: USING CHILE: Making Ristras, Making Chile Sauce

Rich

spottie · 10-23-2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mortimer

It seems to me that they would tend toward squishiness
by freezing them before they were all dry.

Yeah thats what I'm worried about - I can't see anyway they'd be dry before next weeks predicted cold temps. I don't want all that work (and chile) to go for nothing! Thanks

spottie · 10-23-2009, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poncho_NM

Here is an article from New Mexico State University: USING CHILE: Making Ristras, Making Chile Sauce
Rich

Thanks!

abgofet · 10-27-2009, 12:47 PM

Ristras will turn black if they freeze before they have dried.
I suggest you bring them into your garage until they have completely dried.

lobo · 10-28-2009, 10:35 PM

The first hard freeze is predicted for tonight, so hopefully you brought them inside. They sure do look nice. You did a great job on them!

Cathy4017 · 10-29-2009, 10:29 AM

It's my understanding that a hard freeze will also make them bitter.

Such pretty, fat chiles! Enjoy!