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Suggestions for using up a TON of serrano chilies (other than salsa and guacamole)?

I've frozen some, made salsa and guac, put them on sandwiches, given them away... any other ideas?

And, while we're at it, I have a lot of anaheims and poblanos too.


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  1. You do up a bunch of Serranos en Escabeche. It's basically a kind of pickled serrano. They're pretty addictive.

    Serranos en Escabeche

    1 1/2 pounds serrano or jalapeno chiles
    3/4 cup olive oil
    3 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch slices
    1 head of garlic, separated into cloves but not peeled
    2 cups white wine vinegar
    1/2 cup water
    2 tablespoons salt
    1 bay leaf
    1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
    3 sprigs fresh marjoram, leaves only, finely chopped
    3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only, finely chopped


    1. A pot of chile. When I make my chile it includes Penzey's chili powder mix, cayenne powder, various dried ciles that I have crushed with my mortar and pestel, and assorted chopped fresh chiles.

        1. agree that escabeche would be great.

          Also, you may want to make a big batch of thai green curry paste. I know that, traditionally, you'd use other chiles, but given the bounty you have, it would be worth it. Plus, you can freeze chile paste wonderfully, meaning you could have great thai green curry on hand at a moments notice.

          1. Poblanos: Roast, peel, stuff with cheese. Make batter with: one egg for every two peppers, 1 T. flour for every two eggs. Separate eggs, beat whites, fold yolks, slightly beaten, with flour into whites beaten to soft peaks. Dip cheese-stuffed peppers in batter and fry in hot oil until golden. Drain well on several changes of paper towels. Freeze in zipper freezer bags. Reheat by dropping into thin tomato sauce and simmering a few minutes. Do this and you will have a stash of on-demand, seriously good, chilies rellenos.

            1 Reply
            1. re: pikawicca

              i love that you gave that recipe so concisely. i love chiles rellenos. thanks.