If you're looking for heat, yellow habanero peppers will bring it. Habanero peppers, which are bell- or lantern-shaped, start out green but turn yellow, orange or red as they grow. Very low in calories and fat, habaneros are among the hottest peppers grown in the United States. Their fruity-flavored undertones make them a good choice for tropical salsas. If you're going to use habaneros, however, consider a few precautions.
Working With Habaneros
Step 1
Put on gloves before cutting into a habanero. Do not bring your hands up to your face or touch your eyes while working with the pepper.
Step 2
Remove the seeds and the white ribs inside the pepper to cut down on the heat.
Step 3
Wash everything that comes into contact with the habanero, its seeds and its juices, from the knife to the cutting board to the counter-top. To be doubly sure all traces are gone, use bleach.
Step 4
Remove your gloves last, after the space is wiped down and you're no longer required to touch the pepper.
Habanero Applications
Step 1
Use habaneros to add zing to a sauce but remove them before serving to get the flavor without the full heat.
Step 2
Make habanero jelly. Spread the jelly on toast for an eye-opening snack.
Step 3
Grind dried habaneros to include in a dry rub for meats. Be careful of the "dust" that's generated by grinding. It can be painful to your eyes.
Step 4
Add spice to marinara sauce by including habaneros. Recipes are available, or simply add chopped, sauteed habanero to your usual sauce. Put in just a little, let the sauce simmer for a few minutes, and taste. You can always add more heat, but you can't remove it.
Step 5
Create a glaze or paste for oven-cooked or grilled meats. Use the glaze to baste the meat during cooking, or rub on the paste before cooking begins.
Tips and Warnings
- Use habaneros sparingly, particularly when you are cooking for guests. Keep dried habanero peppers in your pantry for those times that you can't make a run to the grocery. Reconstitute them by boiling for five minutes or soaking in hot water for 10 minutes.
Things You'll Need
- Gloves
- Bleach (optional)
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