They are just like little ants up there getting the harvest in and furnishing us with what we need to make our lives full and our tables heavily laden. I ran up to the store the other day and happened to notice that DiSanti had trucks in the field loading the pumpkins. Do you know what that means/ That means I have to get busy and get my peppers in the freezer or I will be making Green Chile with that crap from Hatch, New Mexico. So I turned the little gray Ford and headed east up South Road. Ah Hah!
Been doing this for years so I know how it is done! First I have to circle around in the store, much like a Vulture looking for something the other birds missed. After picking up a few things to satisfy my vegetarian side, I see my peppers are ready.
Oh, let me just read this menu. I may come back a little later and pick up something to eat that I do not have to actually cook.
But since it was early and the kitchen was not open, I was out of luck for this morning. So, being the good little girl I am, I took my purchases home and began the task of rinsing, deseeding and bagging the jewels of Pueblo Mesa farmers.
Now I need to tell you that several people have told me the best way to do these is to simply put small bags of them up with out removing the seeds or the skins. Then when you take them out to use, you defrost them, rinse the skins off, grab the stem and pull out all the seeds and membranes. They swear that this retains the smokey roast flavor. Am I missing something here? I began to eyeball the peppers and wondered. Perhaps there was something to that. I reached down in the bag and pinched off a piece of a pepper and wiped the skin off and popped it in my mouth.
Holy Shinola! My head made three complete rotations, much like that gal in the Exorcist! I have yet to find my right eyeball. My throat is completely gone and my left leg is still twitching. To say it was very hot would be an understatement. If it had a distinct smokey flavor I missed that. I have had less pain in childbirth. When I finally quit crying and sobbing, I finished my job, secure in the knowledge that this years chile is going to be wonderful!
So, you do need to remember to wear your rubber gloves. I keep these around by the case and once when my friend and I were cooking he asked if I had any rubber gloves and I directed him to the drawer. When he saw my stash he looked at me and said, "Are you a Proctologist?" Poor fellow has no idea, does he?
To view my youtube trip to DiSanti Farms click here
DiSanti Farms is located at 29114. The phone number is 719-948-2526 and be sure and tell them Lou Mercer sent you. They will go nuts trying to figure out who I am!
Enjoy the fruits of Pueblo County while they are fresh!
And stop and see me cause you just drove past my house!
