Hatch Green Chile Season Is Almost Here: Why We Love Roasting Every Summer
Hello, again!
With the recent Wichita weather, we decided to take some time off in Colorado to enjoy the cool mountain breeze. Although it has been hot in the Rockies, it's nothing compared to what we have been experiencing. With nighttime temps in the 60s, it was worth the trip west.
When visiting the Southwest, I'll always look for opportunities to enjoy green chile while dining. Colorado restaurants offer green chile year-round. This morning it was a green chile-smothered breakfast burrito in Walsenburg, then a smothered open-face burger and fries in Cuchara. During the summer of 1999, Jeremy and I visited Mike Spencer's garden center in Colorado Springs, Spencer's Garden Center. Spencer's, a long-time family-owned garden center like ours, offers fresh produce as one of their specialties. That summer, Mike encouraged us to start roasting and offering Hatch Chiles, and the rest is history.
Now every year in early August, we fill up our coolers with green chile from southern New Mexico and fire up the roasters for the first load from Hatch. Be sure to follow us on social media to be notified when we start roasting this year. Better yet, pre-order your chiles now online. If you've never experienced the roasting of the peppers in person, come in to one of our locations and watch it done. You'll become addicted to the sound and aroma of it all.
When I'm frequently asked about how to use chile, I direct people to our Pork Green Chile recipe along with other ideas for cooking with these special peppers.
For more of our favorite recipes, pick up one of Hatch Habit Cookbooks while you're waiting for your chiles to roast.
Check out last year's Hatch Green Chile - Garden Time Episode for more information on why we love this green chile.
Finally, our Garden Rewards Redemption starts this Saturday. Don't forget to turn your points into something new for your garden or landscape starting August 1 - 15. Every 100 points is worth $1 of savings.
Your friend in the garden,
Marty Johnson
Owner - Johnson's Garden Centers
