It's Ristra Time!

 Finally, after the scorching hot summer and the roasting of the green chiles, ristras are for sale!

Ristras are strings of ripe chiles. They are made when the chile changes color. The chiles dry as they hang.

But ristras are not just for decoration! They are used in most Las Cruces homes, pulled off as needed to season beans, salsa, pizza, or what have you. Anything, everything could use a nice bit of red chile! 

The most common chile used in a ristra is the green chile, a large "pepper" that ranges from mild to hot in taste. Smaller serranos and other petite chiles are also grown and strung into ristras.

One good-sized ristra will perfume your entire kitchen and den or even patio or porch! It's delightful. With our weather and low humidity, they dry well. Dry outside first, then bring them in. Or leave them outside!

The best price in town is at a shop in Old Mesilla, called Ristramnn. I think everyone pronouces it "Ristra Man" although that isn't plain from the spelling. They have excellent prices. Make sure you get one of THIS year's ristras, though, and not a crispy old one from last year. They have ristras hanging from years ago, so have your eyes open and ask for a "new" one if you aren't sure.

Splurge and get one of the longest ones, if you can! Get several, so that you can have them inside and out!

Come retire to Las Cruces and get in on the fun. Would you hang up a ristra at your new home here?