Produce Briefs...
Wasabi
Wasabi is a perennial and a member of the Cruciferae family. It is grown mainly for its underground rhizome (tuber) which produces branch-less, edible leaves above ground. A mature wasabi root is firm, cylindrical, brown and green-skinned and tapered.
Green Shishito Chile Peppers
Japanese peppers are mildly spicy and most often prepared cooked. Saute peppers in olive oil, over high heat, until they just begin to blister- serve hot, sprinkled with sea salt.
Seasons/Availability
Red Fresno chile peppers are available year round.
Current Facts
Red Fresno chiles AKA chile caribe or chile cera, are a mature Fresno chile pepper. It is a perennial chile pepper grown primarily as an annual. Fresno chiles are of the species, Capsicum annuum, a species of peppers native to South America. They are also the same species as jalapenos, though a different cultivar and often mistaken for jalapenos. Fresno chile peppers are used as a fresh market hot chile pepper or as a canning pepper. When canned or bottled they are often simply labeled, "hot chile peppers", leaving no reference to variety. Fresno chiles do not have a home in the dried chile market as their flesh is too thick to endure the air-drying process successfully.
Description/Taste
Red Fresno chiles are petit but plump thumb-sized conically shaped chiles. Their skin, smooth, firm and waxy with a glossy sheen. Their flesh contains a cottony membrane which bears numerous creamy white seeds. These seeds can be dried and used to grow future crops of the peppers. Fresno chiles are considered a hot chile pepper, with flavor and heat similar to that of a jalapeno or a serrano chile. Though the seeds are hot, the flesh's cross ribs and membrane contain the compound called capsaicinoid. This single compound is responsible for the pepper's heat. As the seeds cling to the ribs and membrane they inherently absorb the heat of the capsaicinoid. The red Fresno is categorized as a hot pepper ranking between 2,500 to 8,000 units on the Scoville index. Cooking Fresno chiles brings out a smoky sweetness that is not found in its raw form.
Nutritional Value
Fresno chiles have an incredible amount of nutritional and health benefits. Chilies are packed with Vitamins A and B, have been shown to reduce blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels and prevent blood clots, control blood sugar/insulin levels after meals, possibly effectively preventing Type 2 Diabetes and are essentially calorie free. Studies have shown hey may prevent prostate cancer by actually convincing cancer cells to kill themselves through a process called apoptosis. Capsaicin, the compound behind the chili's heat, is an anti-inflammatory agent as well as a natural pain reliever. For the calorie counters, chiles are calorie free and they increase metabolic rates.
Applications
Fresno peppers can be used as an accompaniment to dishes or as the main ingredient. They can be added to salsas, used in relishes, fire roasted and stuffed with cheeses, potatoes, seafood and meat. The can be used as a topping for tostadas, burgers, sausages and hot dogs. Fresno chiles can be used in recipes that you would otherwise consider jalapenos or serranos. They can be added to ceviches and marinades, used as the base for sauces such as romanesco and rojo cream sauces.
Geography/History
The Fresno chile is a rather young variety of chile peppers. It was developed and released for commercial cultivation by Clarence Brown in 1952. Brown named the chile "Fresno" in honor of Fresno, California. Brown is also credited for developing the smaller conical "Cascabella" chile. Fresno chiles prefer warm to hot and dry climates with long sunny summer days and cool nights for optimal growing conditions. They are grown throughout California, specifically the San Joaquin Valley, which is considered the most productive agricultural region in the world.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
| Hilton Garden Inn | San Diego CA | 858-720-9500 |
| Boat House Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0155 |
| Truluck's Seafood Steak and Crab House | San Diego CA | 858-453-2583 |
| Jack & Giulio's | San Diego CA | 619-294-2074 |
| Sea Rocket Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-255-7049 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| Whisknladle | San Diego CA | 858-551-7575 |
| Urban Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Searsucker | San Diego CA | 619-233-7327 |
| Great Maple | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Delicia's | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-8000 |
| Blind Lady | San Diego CA | 619-255-2491 |
| Urban Solace | San Diego CA | 619-295-6464 |
| The Bier Garden | Encinitas CA | 760-632-2437 |
| Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| Wine Steals Point Loma | San Diego CA | 619-221-1959 |
| Lei Lounge | San Diego CA | 619-813-2272 |
| Gauchito Grill | San Marcos CA | 858-705-1747 |
| Martinis above Fourth | San Diego CA | 619-400-4500 |
| Leroy's Kitchen & Lounge | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-255-4100 |
| San Diego Culinary Institute Inc. | La Mesa CA | 619-644-2100 |
| Spike Africa's Fresh Fish Bar & Grill | San Diego CA | 858-401-0608 |
| Burlap | San Diego CA | 858 369 5700 |
| Davanti Enoteca | San Diego CA | 858-519-5060 |
| Gabardine | San Diego CA | 619-398-9810 |
| Mainstream Bar & Grill | Poway CA | 858-486-6246 |
| Fish Public | San Diego CA | 619-281-4014 |
| Saffron | San Diego CA | 619-574-7737 |
| Victoria Mahdion | San Diego CA | 619-987-3304 |
| Brooklyn Girl | San Diego CA | 619-296-4600 |
| Fishery | San Diego CA | 858-272-9985 |
| Gabardine Bar | San Diego CA | 619-398-9810 |
| Carnitas Snack Shack | San Diego CA | 619-294-7675 |
| Finch's Wine Bar & Bistro | La Jolla CA | 858-456-4056 |
| Bo Beau Kitchen & Bar | San Diego CA | 619-224-2884 |
| Inn at the Park | San Diego CA | 619-296-0057 |
| Prepkitchen La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-875-7737 |
| Tartine | Coronado CA | 619-435-4323 |
| La Costa Blue Fire | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Craft and Commerce (Sekscobra Inc.) | San Diego CA | 619-962-5935 |
| Heights Tavern | San Diego CA | 619-302-8178 |
| Blue Ribbon Artisan Pizzeria | Encinitas CA | 760-634-7671 |
| Akinori | San Diego CA | 619-220-4888 |
| JR Produce | San Diego CA | 858-270-3857 |
| Prepkitchen Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-7737 |
| Roy's San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-239-7697 |
| Cucina Urbana | San Diego CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Croces | San Diego CA | 619-233-4355 |
| Monello | San Diego CA | 619-501-0030 |
| La Valencia | San Diego CA | 858-551-3750 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
| Prepkitchen Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-247-0394 |
| The Oceanaire Seafood Room | San Diego CA | 619-858-2277 |
| Herringbone | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0221 |
| Solace & the Moonlight Lounge | Encinitas CA | 760-753-2433 |
| La Villa | San Diego CA | 619 255 5221 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Wine Vault & Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-295-3939 |
| Hotel Palomar-Salt Box | San Diego CA | 619-515-4062 |
| Georges at the Cove | San Diego CA | 858-454-4244 |
| Cantina Mayahuel | San Diego CA | 619-283-6292 |
| Nobu | San Diego CA | 619-814-4124 |
| Horizon School | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-5599 |
| Azul La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-454-9677 |
| Mitch's Seafood | San Diego CA | (619) 222-8787 |
| Miho Gastrotruck | San Diego CA | 619-867-4295 |
| The Smoking Goat | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
| Empire House Urban Palate | San Diego CA | 619-278-8175 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Red Fresno Chile Peppers. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Cake and Commerce |
|
Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Jam |
| Bon Appetit |
|
Avjar |
| Food 52 |
|
Fresh Sriracha |
| What Did You Eat? |
|
Wok Tossed Salmon with Red Fresno Chiles and Basil |
| meishiChina |
|
法餐头牌－烤彩椒沙拉 |
Recently Spotted
Someone spotted Red Fresno Chile Peppers using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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PrepKitchen Near San Diego, California, United States About 112 days ago, 2/27/13 Spotter's comments : Spicy and sweet Fresno chile peppers are perfect paired with pork belly and spinach on PrepKitchen's scrumptious flatbread! |
