We are in the Thanksgiving weekend and my pepper plants are
still producing. This year I planted a variety;
they were late to germinate and slow growing due to our weird spring weather.
I didn’t think they would ever take off and when they finally did, I transplanted all of them into a 3 x 5 bed. I have high hopes in possibly saving them over the winter. This means there will be a lot of covering and uncovering over the next couple of months.
I planted several varieties and the hot peppers have been producing in large quantities, they are still producing and since I don’t like freezing or canning peppers, I started to air dry in the fall by making pepper garlands.
I was using them in conjunction with my fall decorating and the results were simply fantastic. This is very simple project to make your own pepper garlands.
Harvesting Hot Peppers and Supplies
The first thing you want to do is harvest the peppers from your garden. They can be red or green because they will change color once indoors during the drying process.In the warmer months I harvest when they are red but during our cooler temperatures, they will not turn red outdoors unless temperatures are 70 plus.
So don’t be afraid to harvest them green, they have more kick if eating fresh and once you have a good load of peppers wash and dry them, so they are ready to thread.
- Hefty sewing needle
- Sewing thread
- Scissors
- Glass Jar for later
Threading Peppers
When the peppers are clean prepare your needle by double threading and secure with a knot. You will need to do a triple knot to keep the thread from sliding through the pepper.
Poke the needle through the top of the pepper, gently slide it through and then add another pepper.
There is no right or wrong way to add each pepper, just give them space as you create this garland as they will take on their own style.
Hanging Pepper Garland to Air Dry
When the pepper garland is finished cut the thread and remove the needle to hang from something in your kitchen.
This could be a curtain rod or get creative and include with some
festive decorating.
It will take a couple weeks or more for them to completely dry. Most of this will depend on the temperature inside your home.
In the first week, you will experience a color change towards a reddish orange and eventually
they shrivel. When they are completely dry remove each pepper from the thread and store in
a glass jar.
These peppers can be added to spice blends like this one here. They are also fantastic in soup or whatever you desire.
I am constantly grabbing them to
spice up a dish and I love to add them to a tuna sandwich. Over Thanksgiving I made a tasty corn dish that I will share
later on the blog.
If you are still harvesting hot peppers or plan to in the future, air drying for later is a great way to enjoy these wonderful vegetables. Peppers are not only a blessing, but they are also good for you.
Be the good,
Carole West