How to Make a Chile Ristra

Perhaps you’re familiar with the brilliantly colored chile ristras from New Mexico that are often used as decorations during the holidays. But, in the culinary world, ristras are a way of drying and preserving chiles for later use. Ristras are very easy to make and a great way to preserve your chile harvest.

The chiles I like to use for making ristras are Chile de Arbol, Nu Mex Joe Parker, Joe’s Long Cayenne, and Cheyenne Cayenne.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• About a bushel of chiles
• Light weight cotton string
• Heavier twine

And here’s how to make a chile ristra!

Photo credit: (c) Can Stock Photo AK