Learn how to buy, use, and store Indian green chili peppers fresh for longer in the fridge with simple tips and tricks. Green Chilies are used in tempering, chutneys, pickles and are even enjoyed raw for their spiciness.
Indian green chili peppers, commonly referred to as Hari mirch, are a popular ingredient in Indian cooking. Chilies are an excellent way to spruce up any mundane meal.
In Indian cuisine, green chilies are frequently used as a primary seasoning component in addition to tempering. An essential ingredient in Indian food, green chili has a distinct flavor that intensifies the heat and flavors of the food. Due to the fact that they are so rich in vital vitamins and minerals, chilies must be a regular part of our diet.
According to popular perception in the food business, everything green is good for your health. Hence, it is understandable why green chili has established itself as a nutritious and significant component in many dishes, including curries, stews, chutneys, pickles, soups, biryani, pulao, and others.
Jump to:
- What Are Green Chili Peppers?
- Types Of Green Chili Peppers You Must Know About
- Health Benefits of Green Chili
- Substitutes for Green Chili in Indian cooking.
- How To Use Green Chili Pepper?
- Where to Buy?
- How To Store Green Chilies?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Recipes where I use Green Chili Peppers
- More Cooking 101 Recipes
- How to Store Green Chili Peppers
What Are Green Chili Peppers?
Chili peppers can vary in size, shape, flavor, color, and spiciness. They are often green or red in color. For the uninitiated, they are the fruits of plants of the genus Capsicum, which are part of the nightshade family, Solanaceae. They contain capsaicin, which produces mild to strong spiciness and gives peppers their distinctive pungency.
Green chili peppers are harvested before they fully ripen and turn red, making them a type of chili pepper. They are commonly used in Indian, Mexican, and Thai cuisine. We'll talk about the one that Indian cuisine uses most commonly.
Indian Green Chili Peppers (Hari Mirch)
Green chili is known as Hari Mirch in Hindi, where 'Hari' stands for 'green' and 'Mirch' for 'chili'. It is among the most commonly used chili peppers in the world. Although they are commonly produced in Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean area, green chilies are American natives.
Indian green chilies, which are thin and fresh, are consumed raw as a condiment or added to pickles, curries, and stews. The heat is carried via the placenta, a white, pliable membrane that surrounds the green chili seeds. It has the most capsaicin, which gives chili peppers their spiciness. Slice off the membrane of the chili if you wish to lessen its heat.
Types Of Green Chili Peppers You Must Know About
Here are some of the most popular green chili pepper varieties in India and worldwide.
- Capsicum annum includes bell peppers, wax, cayenne pepper, jalapenos, chiltepin, and all New Mexico chili varieties.
- Capsicum Chinense includes the spiciest peppers like the Naga, habanero, Datil, and Scotch bonnet.
- Capsicum Frutescens, which includes Malagueta, Piri Piri, Thai peppers, and more.
- Lastly, Capsicum Pubescens includes South American rocoto peppers. They may be used as a spice to give food a hot flavor.
When referring to India, "Kanthari" and "Byadagi" are used in the South of the country. "Naga" and "Dhani" are used in the east. But "Jwala" is the preferred option in the majority of India.
Health Benefits of Green Chili
- Chili peppers help people lose weight by decreasing hunger and boosting fat burning.
- Chili peppers can be used to relieve osteoarthritis pain.
- Due to their high antibacterial content, green peppers are useful in the treatment of skin infections and acne.
- Capsaicin, an ingredient in green chilies, stimulates the mucous membranes in the nose.
- Thus, making it thinner means mucus drains from the nose more rapidly, and the common cold is treated.
- Additionally, green peppers are a wonderful source of beta-carotene and vitamin C, both of which are beneficial to the immune system and the eyes.
Clearly, green chilis provides a wide spectrum of amazing health advantages. Like any meal, it's vital to take it in moderation.
However, there are times when we do not have Indian green chili at home, we have a rescue for that also.
Substitutes for Green Chili in Indian cooking.
The most popular Indian green chili pepper is called a Jwala chili. However, it is not always simple to find in American retailers. Our recommended substitutes are bird's eye, Thai chili, or Serrano pepper. Green Cayenne peppers are another option, but we rarely see them in supermarkets.
As you may probably guess, jalapenos differ from Indian green chilies. They are significantly less spicy than most Indian green chilies, but you may still use them in Indian cooking.
How To Use Green Chili Pepper?
If you enjoy spicy and pungent food, you are likely aware of how this enticing side dish can liven up any mundane dinner. It is used to prepare stews, curries, biryanis, pulao, and more.
However, many Indians eat them fresh with their meals and also pickled in a fermented state. As a tempering for a variety of dishes, they are sometimes also tossed in heated mustard oil.
If your threshold for heat is not greater, you may add a whole chili or slit the chili pepper in the middle and add it whole when cooking. After cooking, remove it.
However, to extract the full taste of the green chili peppers, either produce a green chili paste to use in your recipe or chop the fresh chili peppers very finely.
Where to Buy?
You can easily find green chili peppers in most Indian grocery stores in the USA. You can find varieties like Indian green peppers, Thai green chilies, Serrano peppers, and Jalapeno.
How To Store Green Chilies?
As previously indicated, there are two ways to preserve green chilies: refrigeration or freezing. Additionally, you may prepare a green chili paste and portion it out for freezing.
Wash, Dry & De-stem
After washing the chilies under running water, pat them dry with a kitchen towel or air dry them entirely.
Once they are dried, de-stem the green chilies.
PS: If you come across slightly damaged or reddening chilies, refrigerate them and utilize them as soon as possible.
To Store It In The Refrigerator
Place a paper towel in a glass or plastic container. Place the green peppers there and cover them with a paper towel. They stay fresher for longer since the paper towel helps absorb moisture. Remove any spoiled green chilies before using the rest of the container's content. Some of them could become red as they ripen.
To Store It In The Freezer
The easiest method to keep green peppers fresh for months is to freeze them. You have two options for freezing them: either as whole chilies or as a frozen green paste.
Whole Chilies
For freezing whole chilies, place the green chilies in a Ziploc bag in a single layer. This prevents them from sticking together and makes retrieval easier. Next, remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it.
Green Chili Paste
- Wash, dry, de-stem green chilies, and cut them into small pieces.
- Add the chopped pieces to a grinder or a blender, and blend them into a fine paste. Do not add any water.
- To retain its freshness, take an ice cube tray and fill the cubes with the paste.
- Store that in the freezer and use it when required.
- You can store the paste in a ziplock bag if you don't have ice cube trays. Ensure you spread it thinly so you can conveniently break it into portions for use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some people suggest rubbing your hands with a small amount of vegetable or olive oil (not enough to make your hands slippery) before chopping peppers, as this can provide adequate coverage to prevent the burning sensation from occurring in the first place.
The name ‘jwala chili’ refers to India's most well-known green chili pepper. The Sanskrit word ‘jwala’ means a very intense flame, and the chili definitely has enough heat to live up to its name.
Indian green chili peppers can be used in various cuisines to add flavor and heat, like Thai, Mexican, and Middle Eastern Cuisine, Chinese.
Yes, there are several substitutes you can use for green chilies. A few options are Jalapeños, Serrano Peppers, Green Thai Chilis, and Anaheim Peppers.
You can use frozen green chilies without the need for thawing.
Recipes where I use Green Chili Peppers
Here are a few recipes where you can use green chili peppers.
More Cooking 101 Recipes
How to Store Green Chili Peppers
Ingredients
- 1 pound Green chili peppers
Instructions
How To Store Green Chilies?
- As previously indicated, there are two ways to preserve green chilies: refrigeration or freezing. Additionally, you may prepare a green chili paste and portion it out for freezing.
Wash, Dry & De-stem
- After washing the chilies under running water, pat them dry with a kitchen towel or air dry them entirely. Once they are dried, de-stem the green chilies.PS: If you come across slightly damaged or reddening chilies, refrigerate them and utilize them as soon as possible.
To Store It In The Refrigerator
- Place a paper towel in a glass or plastic container. Place the green peppers there and cover them with a paper towel. They stay fresher for longer since the paper towel helps absorb moisture. Remove any spoiled green chilies before using the rest of the container's content. Some of them could become red as they ripen.
To Store It In The Freezer
- The easiest method to keep green peppers fresh for months is to freeze them. You have two options for freezing them: either as whole chilies or as a frozen green paste.
Whole Chilies
- For freezing whole chilies, place the green chilies in a Ziploc bag in a single layer. This prevents them from sticking together and makes retrieval easier. Next, remove as much air as possible from the bag before sealing it.
Green Chili Paste
- Wash, dry, de-stem green chilies, and cut them into small pieces.Add the chopped pieces to a grinder or a blender, and blend them into a fine paste. Do not add any water.To retain its freshness, take an ice cube tray and fill the cubes with the paste.Store that in the freezer and use it when required.You can store the paste in a ziplock bag if you don't have ice cube trays. Ensure you spread it thinly so you can conveniently break it into portions for use.
Nutrition
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