[fatbelly]

Hi I had a bumper crop of Jalapeno Chili Peppers this year but lost most due to poor storage.
What are the best methods of storing / preserving Chili Pepper for use throughout the Autumn / Winter.
Thanks FB

[compostqueen]

I have lost mine in previous years due to drying them inadequately before putting into jars and them going mouldy. They can be frozen whole on open trays in the freezer and then packed into plastic containers. I found that method to be successful     This year I have a dehydrator so I've dried some and packed them into jars so fingers crossed they'll be fine 

[Yorkie]

Some people thread them through the stems and suspend them like that.  I'm sure there are previous threads on this if you do a search.

[peapod]

Ive tried stringing them, drying them in the oven and freezing them.
Overall, the freezing method has worked best, and we grow a LOT of chillies  :happy:

[arugula]

The ristra which Yorkie refers to can be pictured here:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=52335.msg622635#msg622635

We dried ours in this way with great success this year.

[slaphead]

Hi i always freeze mine in a plastic bag and  take out as I need them. It seems to work well for me.

[fatbelly]

Thanks for all the reppies guys, its much appreciated.
I have learnt that storing and preserving our produce is just as important as getting a good crop.

For the first two years of my allotmenteering I would think that once my crops were in the shed my job was done, but I now know that having food to eat in good condition throughout the winter and into the early spring is the key thing.

[RichardA]

my neighbour who is brazilian takes all my spare chilis and stores them hung on a thread or in a bottle of oil. Not sure of any more details but I understand she can use the chilli or the oil flavoured from them or both depending on strength of flavour required.
 We dry ours and keep in an open topped jar in dry place.
R

[Foghorn-Leghorn]

I string my chillis through the stem and then hang in the airing cupboard until they've dried out.  Then I store them in a kilner jar.   

[SLUGGER]

Hello, nobody seems to have gone for pickling or storing in oil. Regards SLUGGER

[arugula]

Hi SLUGGER,

There is a theoretical risk of botulism when preserving in oil. See this thread:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=65925.0

among others on the forum where this is discussed.