The Chileman challenge

[unconcerned]

Nice one Manda. Those purple jalapeno are about the best coloured chillis I have seen. They often start out green but quickly turn purple. After a good while they will ripen to red, but not bright red like most chillis, a gorgeous deep mahogany red. They almost look like they are made of wood. Then when you cut into them it's just the thin skin that is the mahogany colour, underneath they are blood red and very juicy.

Here's a photo from when I was pickling mine last year:

[smallblueplanet]

They are good looking chillis. The purple jalapenos are from your chilli seeds! We pickle some of our jalapenos with carrots and onions mexican stylee. I had a peek at some more of your photos, they are all very good, with a lovely light to them (like the purple jalapenos above). What camera do you use?

[unconcerned]

Thank you. I have a panasonic pocket camera and a canon SLR. I think the photo above was taken with the canon, but the rest of the pepper photos are a mixture.

Tell me, how do you keep your pickles crunchy? Do you soak in brine for 24 hours before the vinegar? I did ok the year before last, but last year they were quite soft. I'm searching for the best method. Any tips very welcome

[smallblueplanet]

Hmmm, I'm not the chef, but I posted the recipe (as exact as could be remembered!) here. I think perhaps this year we'd put a spoonful or so of sugar in to take the edge off the vinegar and we always use a white wine or cider vinegar. Heat the vinegar not the chillis should keep them a bit more crunchy? As I said this was last years attempt and we had almost zilch jalapenos.

I'm not sure about using a brine solution, we have been trying to cut down on our salt/sodium intake for health reasons.

[smallblueplanet]

Okay I figured it was time to throw the (very small) gauntlet down!

Here is my first purple jalapeno - starting to get chilli size!

[Alice]

Well done SBP. Mine are not there yet.
I only planted 3.
One is a good looking plant, one is getting there and the other is a runt I should have discarded - but haven't the heart for it. It's never going to come to anything, but I'll nurse it along.
Good luck in the competition.

[janto]

hi all as im new can you tell what year are you talking about for the chilli comp>

[janto]

hi all as im new can you tell what year are you talking about for the chilli comp>

[Alice]

2008 Janto. The competition is for Jalapeno. Last year was for Big Jim (Yum)
You can see the leaderboard here
...

[HeyWayne]

Getting quite concerned now, none of mine have any flowers on them yet, let alone fruit! Looking good though all those with chillis.

I'm looking forward to my twilight fruiting.

Come onnnnn!

[crichmond]

My best corking so far.

[HeyWayne]

That's a corker Chris!! Fnar fnar! Looks good.

Looks like a stylised elongated strawberry.

I'm still yet to get any flowers on any of mine. Patience glasshopper, patience.

[Alison]

Loads of flowers and now a tiny tiny wee chilli so fingers crossed for it growing big and strong!

[mcsee]

Are there only 5 weeks left before the Challenge ends??

[Alice]

The challenge ends at the end of September McSee, so still time - or so I keep telling myself. Mine are only 4 cm long and don't look as if they are getting bigger in a hurry. My Hotwax are 14 cm long. No justice - is there.