Hatch Green Chile- The Best Pepper in the World

Here in the beautiful, southwestern state of New Mexico, late summer/early autumn is a special time; the monsoons begin to wane, the air becomes crisp with the slightest chill to cool off from a hot summer, the state prepares for an influx of visitors that arrive with the annual Balloon Fiesta, and green chile peppers, our state treasure, are ready for harvest. From late August through mid September, the state is inundated with the delightful scent of roasting chile peppers.

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of travelling to our neck of the woods, then you are aware that this regional gem of a pepper is offered on almost any food you might order. It’s flavor is unlike that of other peppers, combining a smoky spiciness with a subtle sweetness that makes this an extremely versatile addition to every meal. Here in the Southwest (yes, its popularity extends beyond its homestate), I have seen it served on almost every meal imaginable, from the standard green chile cheeseburger, to mixed into waffle batter, even mixed into apple empanadas. Of course, no New Mexican dish is complete without the addition of Hatch green chile; it is the ingredient that makes burritos, enchiladas, and posole irresistible.

There are many varieties of Hatch chile peppers. For a pepper to be categorized as Hatch chile, it must have been grown in the beautiful Hatch Valley that lies along the Rio Grande river. These amazing peppers are truly a state obsession; New Mexico even has an official state question: red or green? That, of course is referring to chile preference with the green peppers being juvenile versions of the more mature red Hatch chile peppers.

If you can’t get to The Land of Enchantment this chile roasting season, don’t fear, you can still get your fill of Hatch chile. There are many online vendors that ship worldwide, such as [The Hatch Chile Store](https://www.hatch-green-chile.com/) for roasted or fresh green chile or [505 Southwestern](https://www.505southwestern.com/) for chile products like salsa and sauces.

If you happen to get your hands on some Hatch chiles, try them out in my green chile stew recipe that will warm you up on the coldest of days