What To Do With Green Cayenne Peppers?
What to do with green cayenne peppers? Green cayenne peppers can be used for a variety of recipes – you can make some delicious pickled green peppers for a flavorful side dish, or you can blend them into a hot sauce to add some extra kick to your favorite meals. With the freshness and heat of green cayenne peppers, you will truly elevate any dish you are creating in the kitchen.
Do you have a bunch of green cayenne peppers sitting in your fridge and don’t know what to do with them? No problem!
In this blog post, we will give you 10 delicious ideas that will help you use up those peppers. From appetizers to main courses, we have got you covered. So what are you waiting for? Get cooking!
Can You Eat Cayenne Peppers when They Are Green?
Yes, you can definitely eat cayenne peppers when they are green! Doing so brings about a flavor profile that is unique and slightly tangier than the mature red pepper.
Green cayenne peppers are a great addition to spice up dishes like salsa, marinades, and Asian-style stir-fries. Although they don’t bring in as much heat as their more ripened counterparts, their tangy flavor adds a level of complexity to various meals that shouldn’t be overlooked.
This is a great way to get a larger harvest from your cayenne pepper plants as you can harvest green peppers which will encourage the plant to put out more fruit which will give you more peppers to add to your favorite dishes.
Are Green Cayenne Peppers Hot?
Green cayenne peppers are not as hot as their more mature red counterparts, but they still bring a pleasant heat that lingers.
The Scoville Scale is the measure of how hot a pepper will be. On average, green cayenne peppers range between 20,000-40,000 SHU (Scoville Heat Units) depending on the individual strain of cayenne.
This makes them hotter than the average jalapeño pepper, which ranges from 2,500 – 10,000 SHU.
When cooking with green cayenne peppers it is important to be aware of their heat level so you can adjust your recipes accordingly.
For example, if a recipe calls for red cayenne peppers and you are using green peppers, you may want to use less so as not to overpower the dish.
Are Green Cayenne Peppers as Hot as Red?
With their fiery, sharp flavor, cayenne peppers no doubt add an extra spark to your favorite dishes. Though green cayenne peppers look just like red ones, they are actually quite different!
Unlike red cayenne peppers which are fully matured and full of spicy goodness, green cayenne peppers are still immature and contain less capsaicin, meaning you don’t get the same amount of heat and a little bit of a different flavor from them as from the fully-ripened red variety.
If you’re looking for a bit of a kick in your cooking without setting your mouth on fire, then go for the green!
Which Is Hotter Cayenne or Jalapeno?
This is a debate that brings up strong feelings from all sides! Everyone has their preference when it comes to cayenne and jalapeno. If you are looking for which one is the real heat-bringer though, cayenne undeniably wins in this category.
This is why that people choose cayenne to make hot sauce or wing sauce.
On the Scoville scale of heat, cayenne peppers range from 30,000 to 50,000 — potentially even higher if it’s an extra hot variety — while jalapeños measure between 2,500 and 10,000.
That means cayenne is between 10-15 times hotter than the normal jalapeno – wow! But don’t worry about not being able to handle cayenne pepper; many sauces tone down cayenne’s spice by adding some mild peppers or tomatoes.
So whether you prefer the mild bite of jalapeños or the fiery blaze of cayennes, there’s sure to be something that’ll send your taste buds into overdrive!
What Can You Do with Green Cayenne Peppers?
Green cayenne peppers are incredibly versatile, and you can use them in a variety of dishes you may already be familiar with.
Despite having a vibrant green hue, you can use green cayenne in all the same ways you would use red cayenne pepper. Spice up your guacamole with some diced green cayenne pepper for an extra kick of flavor.
Alternatively, you could also make some spicy salsa by blending together chopped tomatoes and peeled fresh garlic, then stirring in some finely chopped green cayenne.
Experimenting with different spiciness levels is part of the fun of cooking with green cayennes!
You can even change up classic recipes you love by substituting red chiles or jalapeños for green cayennes to bring out a distinct flavor of pepper you may not have tried before.
What Can You Make with Green Cayenne Peppers?
Green cayenne peppers can be used to make a variety of dishes with an extra punch of flavor and heat. Here are some ideas to get you started:
10 Delicious Ways to Use Green Cayenne Peppers
1. Pickled Green Cayenne Peppers – Pickling is a great way to preserve green cayenne peppers and keep them fresh for later use.
2. Hot Sauce – Blend up your green cayenne peppers with some other ingredients, like tomatoes or garlic, to make a flavorful hot sauce.
3. Salsa – Make spicy and tangy salsa with the help of your green cayenne peppers.
4. Stir Fry – Toss in some sliced green cayenne peppers to give an Asian-style stir fry an extra kick.
5. Chili – Add to your chili for a bold and slightly spicy flavor.
6. Egg Dishes – Scrambled eggs, omelets, frittatas, and quiches are all great dishes to incorporate green cayenne peppers into for a unique flavor combination.
7. Soups & Stews – Make your soups and stews more exciting with the help of green cayenne peppers.
8. Roasted Veggies – Roast your favorite veggies with some diced green cayenne peppers for an added kick of flavor and heat.
9. Guacamole – Use green cayenne peppers to make extra-spicy guacamole that is sure to impress!
10. Sandwiches & Wraps – Spice up your sandwiches and wraps with the addition of green cayenne peppers.
Green cayenne peppers are a wonderful way to add bold flavor and heat to your dishes. Experimenting with recipes that incorporate green cayenne peppers can lead to unique and delicious meals! Have fun in the kitchen and enjoy these 10 ways to use up your green cayenne peppers.
When Is The Best Time to Pick Cayenne Peppers?
You can pick cayenne peppers at any time as you can use them green or red so it depends on what you are wanting the peppers for. Picking green cayenne peppers encourages the plant to put out more flowers.
The green cayenne peppers are tasty, and spicy, and make a great addition to recipes but ultimately, the best time to pick cayenne peppers is when they are fully ripe.
The ripe peppers have a more developed flavor that is both sweet and spicy.
Harvesting Cayenne Peppers
Once your peppers have matured, it’s time to harvest them. The best way to pick cayenne peppers is by clipping the stem just above the pepper itself. Be careful not to pull on the stems as this can damage both the plant and the pepper.
You can also carefully twist each pepper off with your fingers if you prefer.
Once your peppers have been harvested, make sure to process them as soon as possible. If you plan on using the peppers right away or storing them in a refrigerator, be sure to rinse and dry them before doing so. If you plan on preserving your cayenne peppers for later use, it’s best to freeze or can them as soon as possible.
Enjoy the unique flavor and heat that cayenne peppers bring to your recipes! With these tips for harvesting, preserving, and using green cayenne peppers in your dishes, you can make sure that you get the most out of this spicy pepper.
Have fun experimenting with different methods of cooking and preparing them in your kitchen!
How Do You Preserve Green Cayenne Peppers?
Remove the tops and cut each one in half (be sure to wear gloves when handling them). Spread them out on the rack or paper plate so that they are not touching each other. Place them in a dry location that gets good air circulation. Check them every few days to make sure they aren’t molding, and also test for dryness.
FAQs
Here are some common questions about cayenne peppers:
Can Cayenne Peppers Be Eaten Raw?
Yes, cayenne peppers can be eaten raw, cooked, pickled, or fermented into hot sauce. The cayenne pepper can also be turned into a delicious powder for seasoning by drying the peppers and grinding them up in a coffee grinder.
There is nothing I enjoy more than picking a fresh ripe cayenne pepper and eating it raw. The flavor is amazing.
How Do You Store Freshly Picked Cayenne Peppers?
The best option for storing fresh cayenne peppers or any pepper is in the refrigerator. You can place your peppers into a plastic bag and keep them in your crisper drawer. If you want to wash them first – make sure to dry them completely before placing them into the bag to prevent mold.
Can I Freeze Cayenne Peppers?
Yes, you can freeze cayenne peppers. The easiest and best way to freeze cayenne pepper is to freeze them whole. Freezing them whole will help to keep the pepper’s integrity.
Will Cayenne Peppers Ripen Off the Vine?
Yes, cayenne peppers will continue to ripen even after you pick the off of the plant. This means that you can pick some that are just starting to turn colors and they will continue to ripen on your counter if you are wanting to save seed or just keep the plant producing for longer.
They should ripen the rest of the way in the course of a week or two. Just make sure to check on them daily to remove any that may go moldy or bad to prevent them from ruining the entire bunch.
Final Thoughts
Cayenne peppers are a great addition to any kitchen. With their unique flavor and heat, they can spice up any dish. Whether you’re using them fresh or preserving them for long-term storage, following these steps will ensure that you get the most out of your cayenne pepper harvest. Have fun experimenting in the kitchen!
