Chili peppers can be dried to preserve an abundant harvest or leftover supply for future use.If done correctly, dried chilies can be used as-is or re-constituted in water.Chili peppers can be dried to give you an additional way to use them.Knowing how to dry chilies is dependent on a number of factors.Pick the method that works best for your environment.
Step 1: For drying, choose quality chilies.
Chilies that are dried should be mature and full of color.Don't use chilies that have cuts, spots, or blemish.
Step 2: Air-drying techniques only work in dry climates.
Attempting to air-dry in a humid climate can cause produce to be soft and moldy.
Step 3: Cut your chilies in half with a sharp knife.
The seeds should be removed.
Step 4: Pick a time when your local forecast calls for hot and sunny weather over a three day period.
You can determine the forecast using your local weather channel, online forecasts, or newspapers.
Step 5: Place the peppers on a cookie sheet in the sun.
If you need to, you can put them in a windowsill.
Step 6: The peppers should be dry in the sun for at least 8 hours.
The cut-side of the peppers should be facing the sun to allow them to continue drying.
Step 7: To prevent bugs from attacking or eating your peppers, cover the cookie sheet with a clean bed sheet or towel at dusk.
Remove the sheet the next morning so the peppers don't get wet.
Step 8: If you can break the chilies apart between your fingertips, you should be able to remove the dried chilies from the sheet.
Store them in a sealed container.
Step 9: You should preheat your oven to 175 degrees.
The temperature for a fan-forced oven should be 40oC.
Step 10: The peppers should be placed on a cookie sheet.
Place them in a single layer.The best way to cover the cookie sheet is with a taut layer of muslin.
Step 11: Place the sheet in the oven.
Step 12: The chilies should be cooked for at least six to eight hours.
If you like, you can turn them once during the cooking process.They are dried when they start turning brown.The drying time depends on the size of the chilies.
Step 13: A long thread should be cut.
How long will you need depends on how many chilies you have.
Step 14: Tie the stalks.
Tie the stalks together using the thread.You can use a large needle to stitch their stalks together.
Step 15: The pepper line can be hung in a well-ventilated room.