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Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
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The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
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Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Description/Taste
Chipotle chiles measures five to ten centimeters long and have a medium thick skin that is ridged and veined. They vary greatly in a range in shades of dull tan and coffee brown to brilliant red. The various appearances depend upon the fresh chile that is used, and their degree of ripeness upon harvest. Chipotles are usually smoked when the fresh jalapeno is red resulting in a deep brick red color, but they may also be smoked while green, giving them a whitish tan color. Its unique sweet and smoky flavor has overtones of chocolate and tobacco with a consistent deep subtle heat. Scoville units: 5-6 (5,000-10,000)
Seasons/Availability
Dried Chipotle peppers are available year-round.
Current Facts
While somewhat misleading, any chile dried by a smoking process is called a Chipotle. The most commonly used chile for Chipotles is the Jalapeño, but the serrano and others are also used. A smoked dried Huachinango chile, called the Chipotle grande, offers a similar flavor, but is larger. Often sold as Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, the peppers are pickled and packaged in a sauce consisting of tomato, vinegar, garlic, onion and spices. They are slightly less hot in this form and may be found whole or pureed.
Nutritional Value
Chipotles contain vitamin A, C, the B vitamins and significant amounts of iron, thiamine, niacin, magnesium and riboflavin. Chiles are cholesterol-free, saturated fat-free, low calorie, low sodium, and high in fiber.
Applications
Mostly used to flavor salsas, sauces, chili, stews, and soups, Chipotles may also be ground to make a table spice. Blend with salt and other spices such as oregano and granulated garlic for sprinkling atop a finished dish. They are extremely versatile and may be added to scrambled eggs, chilaquiles, stuffed with cheese and baked, or even added to cakes and brownies. When used in the canned form in red adobo sauce, they are a prime addition to marinades for red meat or lamb. Lamb Barbacoa en Mixote is a great use for canned or dried Chipotles when marinated overnight and grilled the following day.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Chipotle chile’s name is derived from the Nahuatl word chilpoctli, which means “smoked chile pepper”.
Geography/History
Chipotles are principally grown and smoked in Véracruz, Oaxaca, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, South Texas, and Southern New Mexico. They were perhaps first created out of the necessity of preservation. The Aztecs used the smoking process to preserve all kinds of foods, including meats and other vegetables which allowed them to be stored for long periods of time. It is speculated that the jalapeños were especially favored for this process because of their thick flesh.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Fish 101 | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6221 |
| Snake Oil Cocktail Company LLC | San Diego CA | 619-754-4041 |
| Black Raill Kitchen + Bar | Carlsbad CA | 619-454-9182 |
| Viewpoint Brewing Co. | Del Mar CA | 858-205-9835 |
| Luce | San Diego CA | 619-275-2094 |
| Pendry SD (Lion Fish) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Olivewood Gardens & Learning Center-Donation | National City CA | 619-434-4281 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| Cueva Bar | San Diego CA | 619-269-6612 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Dried Chipotle Chile Peppers. One
is
easiest, three is harder.
