Chile Roasting Season is Here!

Can you smell it? That familiar and comforting scent of green chile roasting all around the state? August is the peak month for green chile harvest, and markets around New Mexico are hosting local farmers who are roasting chile right in your neighborhood. A staple of the New Mexican diet, green chile is healthy for us as well, with high amounts of fiber and vitamins C and A. We’ve pulled together some tips and reminders on all the ways to store, roast, and purchase the best green chile in the country. 

Stock Up for the Year

Many families in New Mexico purchase chile to have on hand the rest of the year. If you’re looking for large quantities of chile to process and take home, New Mexico farmers’ markets and farm stands have you covered. To make sure you have access to the quantity you want, it’s recommended to talk to your local farmer or market manager to order your amount ahead of time. Many farmers are already prepared for family-sized orders, however communicating ahead of time will help make sure you take home the amount you need. 

Roasting Chile at Home

For those who prefer to roast chiles on their own, there are a variety of ways to achieve this. The main thing to remember with green chile is to remove the outer skin, which is difficult to chew and digest. To roast a fresh chile pepper at home, you can use your oven or broiler, stovetop, outdoor grill, or microwave. For detailed instructions on how to utilize each method, as well as information on storing and preserving chiles, head to the NMSU website.

Purchase Chile with Double Up Food Bucks and Bonus Bucks

Did you know that you can purchase freshly roasted chile using your SNAP-EBT card? At participating retailers around the state, local food purchasing is doubled, and this year (only through August) it is tripled with additional Bonus Bucks. Stop by your market’s information booth to swipe your card and receive tokens and Bonus Bucks to shop with farmers and food vendors. Learn more about this program and which markets to shop with by heading to the Double Up Food Bucks website: doubleupnm.org

Connect with the farmers growing this beloved New Mexican staple by viewing our Cultivating Connections video featuring Rosales Produce.