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2023 Nov 11 Gardeners’ Dirt

Blazing hot goodness

By Marcia Kauffman Victoria County Master Gardener

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER/NANCY KRAMER – TAM mild jalapeño

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY BRYNN LEE/VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER – Chiltepin peppers

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY VICTORIA COUNTY MASTER GARDENER NANCY KRAMER- Chiltepin peppers

When we moved to Texas I was introduced to peppers of the spicy variety — jalapenos and chiltepin. Back then I couldn’t even gingerly taste these hot peppers. Both are the official peppers of the state of Texas.

The jalapeno is the milder of the two, registering on the Scoville Heat Index as 2,500 to 8,000 units. Chiltepin is 6 to 40 times hotter ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 hotter. Nowadays I will still use only the milder one in my recipes.

Growing Conditions

The growing conditions of these official state peppers are similar but different. The jalapeno requires full sun, while the chiltepin needs partial shade. Both like to be fertilized and watered as needed. The jalapeno (Capsicum annuum) can grow as large as 57 grams to the smaller yellow variety. There is even a white and green striped variety.

The chiltepin (Capsicum annuum glabriusculum) is as small as a bird’s eye thus giving it the name “bird’s eye peppers.” Its colors range from red to orange to green.

To start growing the peppers inside from seed, begin 8 to 10 weeks before danger of frost has passed. Place the seed in a soil medium just barely below the surface of the soil. Make certain you cover it lightly.

When you plant a seed in your garden or take the transplant ready to plant, make certain the ground has warmed to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. When they first flower, feed it with a fertilizer high in potassium.

This little pepper, chiltepin is found in the wild under the shade of bushes. Farmers have developed the chile piquín to be grown on farms.

Varieties of Jalapenos

The Jedi variety has the benefits of being disease free and a prolific grower of fruits. It puts on jalapenos from midsummer until first frost.

If you want a compact variety try the Pot-a-Peño, which grows from 12 to 15 inches tall. Whereas the Jedi variety ripens within 75 days, these are a bit quicker at 60 days.

Uses

These peppers have many health benefits. Both are sources of vitamin A and C. Other benefits can be anything from fighting cancer by stopping growth and division of cells to relieving stomach disorders. The capsicum found in each can be an effective pain reliever.

Jalapenos add a bit of spice in soups, stews and even sandwiches. Don’t forget about making different kinds of salsa like sweet jalapeno mango salsa or jalapeno salsa verde. Stuffed jalapenos make a great addition to any social gathering.

A cook can use the chiltepin pepper in much the same ways. It can also be used as an addition in barbecue sauce.

Some precautionary notes for handling these peppers: use gloves while handling. If you get pepper juice in your eye while cooking, rinse your eye with lots of water and realize you will have pain.

You can extend the life of jalapenos by drying them and use them crushed in soups, sauces and stews.

Since the chiltepin is so small, the pod of the plant is dried and crushed before using them in cooking.

Pests

These peppers have a few insect pests which can be taken care of with insecticidal soap, Neem oil or beneficial insects.

Surprisingly rabbits and squirrels like to nibble on jalapenos, but they can be kept away by a physical barrier around the garden area.

The next time you are grocery shopping, pop a few of these spicy peppers in your cart. You will certainly add some kick to your different dishes. Hopefully, your family and guests will thank you.

The Gardeners’ Dirt is written by members of the Victoria County Master Gardener Association, an educational outreach of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Victoria County. Mail your questions in care of the Advocate, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, TX 77901; or [email protected], or comment on this column at VictoriaAdvocate.com.

References

• https://thespruce.com/grow-jalepeno-peppers-inside

•https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/jalapeno-health-benefits

• GardenGate, May/June 2022 page 53

More about peppers

Types of peppers

  • Bell
  • Shishito
  • Banana
  • Sweet Italian
  • Poblano

Benefits of peppers

  • Rich in vitamin A and C
  • Source of potassium
  • Contain folic acid and fiber