We ate dinner at home last night but David brought us all dinner home from restaurants we wanted to eat at. If I had knew May 5th was Totally Chipotle Day #TotallyChipotleDay. No, it isn’t a #Holiday to celebrate the recipe for the #Chipotelepper but I bet Chipotle would use these Peppers. I would have waited until today to eat out because both Charlie and David love #Chipotle.
Charlie’s best friend Bradley has been wanting to try #Chipotle as well. I would have passed on having dinner here because I prefer Gound Beef Taco’s and Burrito’s with no, Rice in them. Although at Chipotle you can choose what you get in the Burrito David gets Charlie.
Totally Chipotle Day is celebrated annually every May 5th ad it’s a day to pay homage to the humble Chipotle Pepper, which is used in Mexican and Mexican-inspired dishes in the U.S. This kind of Pepper is indeed versatile enough to be used in any cuisine.
Chipotle Peppers are hotter than a Poblano Pepper but not as hot as a Serrano Pepper on the Scoville scale, National Totally Chipotle Day is a perfect time to stock up on Chipotle Peppers and use them liberally to add spice to your day.
Chipotle Peppers have been around since ancient times and it’s as old as Mexican Cuisine itself. Chipotel Peppers name comes from ‘Nahuatl,’ the language spoken by the Aztecs. The name combines the words ‘Chili’ (Pepper) and ‘Poctli’ (smoke), to mean ‘Smoked Pepper.’
A favorite of many Pepper aficionados, it actually begins as a Jalapeño Pepper. There are different varieties of Jalapeños with varying degrees of heat. It was once primarily found in the markets of Central and Southern Mexico. From the total production of Jalapeños in Mexico, 60% accounts for pickled products, 20% is consumed fresh, and 20% becomes Chipotle.
It became widely available in the more Northern areas of North America as Mexican food became sought after and Jalapeño production and processing likewise expanded to that area. The traditional process of its transformation starts when ripe, red Jalapeño Peppers are put out to dry.
After being placed on metal grills, the Peppers are then smoked in an oven for several days until they completely dry out. Many Mexican Peppers have two names, one for the fresh version and another for the smoked or dried version.
The process results in an earthy and pungent ingredient. Its deep smokey flavor and complexity are best paired with flavors that help round it out. Lime Juice, Cilantro, Garlic, or a touch of sweetness are some ideas to try.
American favorites like Tacos, Chilis, and Enchiladas are dishes that go well with their flavor. You can also use Chipotle Peppers in Soups, Sauces, Salsa, Marinades, and Roasted Vegetables. The possibilities for Chipotle Peppers are endless!
Totally Chipotle Day Activities
- Purchase Chipotle Peppers and use them in your favorite dishes. Mix up Marinades, Dips, and sides of this flavorful Pepper for an appetizing bite!
- Take photos of the Chipotle Peppers or it didn’t happen! Share photos of your creations on your Social Media feed to get others salivating over your tasty dishes.
- Get those Ponchos and Sombreros out, because it’s time for a Mexican-themed party! Serve tasty snacks including Tacos, Guacamole, and Nachos. Wash the snacks down with Tequilas or Margaritas and you’ve got yourselves a real party.
Facts About Chipotle Peppers
- Jalapeño Peppers left on the vine are harvested when they turn red and smoke-dried to make Chipotle Peppers.
- To make just one pound of Chipotle Peppers, you need ten pounds of Jalapeños! That’s a whole lot of Jalapeno’s.
- Dark red ‘Morita’ Peppers have been smoked and dried for half the time of darker Chipotles, while ‘Meco’ Peppers are smoked twice as long, resulting in a darker gray color.
- You can purchase Chipotle Peppers in whole pods, ground, flakes, powder, or in an Adobo Sauce Mix.
- A Scoville scale score is used to measure heat in food, the Chipotle Pepper registers between 3,000 and 10,000 S.H.Us.
Why People Love Totally Chipotle Day
Capsaicin encourages mucus secretion, emptying out the airways and sinuses. It’s then able to remove irritants or bacteria that cause respiratory or sinus issues.
Chipotle Peppers are packed with nutrients that are good for our health. They have been linked to a reduction in cardiovascular diseases like strokes and atherosclerosis.
Capsaicin, an active component found in Peppers, can aid in managing insulin levels in the body. This reduces high blood sugar in the body, which is one of the many dangerous conditions associated with diabetes.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
