Hatch Green Chile

Hatch green chile is a long, tapered green pepper with smooth skin and medium-thick walls. Flavor ranges from mild to pleasantly hot, with a fresh grassy aroma that turns smoky-sweet when roasted. Cooks char and peel it for salsas, stews, and enchiladas; it also stuffs well and dices neatly. Sold fresh in season, and commonly roasted, peeled, frozen, or canned dice.

Developed in the Hatch Valley of southern New Mexico from New Mexican chile cultivars, it anchors Southwestern and Mexican-American cooking. Commercial growers select cultivars for heat level and size, and harvest peaks in late summer when roadside roasters and markets process large batches.