How can I dry hot peppers?

Question: 

How can I dry hot peppers?

Answer: 

Drying peppers is a simple procedure.  Harvest mature peppers (the fruit of most varieties turn from green to red at maturity), wash to remove any dirt, then allow the fruit to dry for a few minutes on the kitchen counter.  Once the preparation steps have been completed, spread the peppers on a wire mesh screen or rack and dry for several weeks.  An alternate method requires a large needle and heavy thread.  Thread the needle, then push the needle through the upper portion of a pepper.  Slide the pepper down the thread and repeat, stringing additional peppers.  Hang and dry the peppers in a warm, dry, well-ventilated location.  The dried peppers may be ground as needed.  

Tags: 

Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Horticulture and Home Pest News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on . The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.