Freezing Chillies

[homedeeth]

i've noticed that storing chilies from a supermarket in a freezer loses their potency

Is there a better way of storing them?

[poodicat]

Alot of people dry and store them..

[mr-rubix]

Ive always found storing them in olive oil to be the best so when you're cooking and the recipe needs oil and chillies then you have the combo already prepared.

[carmalee]

i had a brilliant crop of chillies two years ago - put them near the aga until they were really dry - crushed then put them in a clean jar. Am still using them and they are still pretty potent.

[Brinjal]

Olive oil is a good option or pickle in vinegar which is what I do. They stay nice and hot.

[merciasounds]

or in a brown paper bag in the salad draw in the fridge for just a few, else dry them!!

[Brinjal]

Chillies grow very easily. Dry out a chilli then plant the seeds in warm place or even in a pot. You will have a supply of fresh chillis

[heathfield]

I haven't noticed any loss of potency from storing mine in the freezer. (Birds eye and scotch bonnet)

[McMouse]

Always freeze our surplus and never had any probs.

[taffinnorfol]

Be careful with preserving in oil. You can get bad toxins after just a few weeks. Best way is to fry them in hot oil to kill off any bacteria before stroring in cold oil. Some people boil them in vinegar beforehand but I think that completely spoils the taste. Some also only preserve dried chillis to reduce the risk of fungal infections!

My advice is cook with them and freeze down the dishes. The meat marinates in the chilli as it freezes / thaws and is delishhhhh!