How to Enjoy the Hatch Chile Festival
The Hatch Chile Festival in Hatch, N.M., allows locals to pay homage to the crop that put their small village on the map: green chiles. Hatch chiles are known for their sweet, rich flavor, as well as for their heat. Each fall, when the peppers are ripe, the village invites the world to enjoy its culinary treasures. Take a trip to Hatch, the “Chile Capital of the World."
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Instructions
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Arrive early, set up your lawn chair and watch the Chile Fest parade. Don’t miss the coronation ceremony, when the new Hatch Chile Queen and her court are crowned.
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Take a walk through town to see what Hatch has to offer–it’s a small town and the residents are very friendly. Check out the chiles in local shops and restaurants.
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Drive out to Hatch Municipal Airport, a mile west of town on Highway 26, site of the chile festival. A small fee is charged for each car, so take a crowd.
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Do a little bit of everything. Pitch horseshoes, dance to live music or learn to tie a ristra, a wreath or bunch of dried chiles. Participate in the chile-eating contest or the watermelon-eating contest, or both. Make a bid at the auction.
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Purchase a bag or a pile of hatch chiles to take home. This is the big payoff from the Hatch Chile Festival. They come in a number of types and heats, from mild to extra hot, and they're easy to freeze. Get enough to last until next year's festival.
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Tips & Warnings
Drink plenty of water, especially if it's a hot day.
Resources
- Photo Credit http://www.hatchchilefest.com/hatch_growth_cycle.php
