Chiles (peppers) - Vegetable/Fruit Summer Produce

➤ When: Chiles are in season in summer: jalapeños and serranos in June, July, and August, and habaneros and poblanos in August, September, and October. Look for manzanos—they’re apple shaped, easy to grow in filtered light, and sweeter than most chiles. And hot when roasted! Experiment with all of them.

➤ What to Look For: Almost always, fresh chiles are green, red, or orange: The red and orange chiles have stayed on the plant several weeks longer, becoming sweeter and more mature. A chile is fresh if the skin is unbroken, the flesh is unmarked (although a darkening of the flesh does not indicate a problem), and it’s bright and crisp at both ends. The skin of a chile should be shiny, and its fragrance faint and a little floral.

➤ Why: Most of us would eat chiles just for their taste, but their potassium, flavonoids, and fiber also make them an anti-aging delight.

➤ How to Use: Poblano chiles are an interesting, flavorful substitute for green bell peppers, and an easy way to get started with chiles. The flavor of chiles is more important to many chile-lovers than their heat. Most of the heat is in the seeds and ribs, not in the flesh. Chiles are often seeded and chopped fresh for salsas. Roasting brings out their sweetness for soups, sauces, salsas, and stews. Drying preserves them for use in the fall and winter.

This Tip was published in 'Cooking The RealAge Way, Turn Back Your Biological Clock with More Than 80 Delicious and Easy Recipes (MICHAEL F. ROIZEN, M.D. and JOHN LA PUMA, M.D.) - p179'