| With quick advances in the information age, we're | | | | other street corner is set up with a roaster. |
| inundated with questions. Will interest rates stay | | | | Behind them you'll find mounds of gunny sacks |
| low? Can Obama beat Hilary? How did UCLA lose | | | | filled with green chile. |
| to Memphis? Will Brett Farve stay retired? I'm | | | | In the Spring and early summer months, the |
| getting exhausted with all the questions, but one | | | | green chilies have long since turned to red and the |
| that always piques my interest is the official state | | | | process of extracting the seeds and crushing the |
| question in New Mexico-- Red or Green? | | | | chile into powder has been completed. By this |
| Locals have been plagued with making this | | | | time of the year, the green chile has been frozen. |
| decision for years, and recognizing it as an official | | | | It's March and for some reason the red stirs my |
| problem, New Mexico made it official in 1996. Go | | | | interest. Which is hotter? Besides inquiring about |
| into any restaurant and you'll eventually be asked | | | | the date, that would be the question I'd ask. On a |
| this very important question. But how do you | | | | plate of enchiladas, could I envision a smothering |
| answer? Don't be afraid. With a little insight, you'll | | | | of red chile? Earthy, thick and rich with enough |
| answer your waitress with thoughtful intelligence. | | | | heat to ignite my senses? Green also sounds |
| In fact, if you're not wearing flip-flops--the official | | | | good and I can see the chunks of green chile |
| California shoe--you might even be taken for a | | | | decorating blue corn tortillas. It melts white cheese |
| local! | | | | quite well. The waitress is patient with me. After |
| I was faced with this dilemma recently and | | | | all, this is serious business. |
| remembered that New Mexicans are extremely | | | | When my company decided to create a salsa, I |
| passionate about this subject. Of course, we're | | | | didn't want another average salsa. If we were |
| talking chile here. What is the answer? Well, it all | | | | going to create a salsa, it had to be different |
| depends on the season. As I've stated, I know | | | | otherwise, competing in a world of average Salsas |
| there are other problems we need to consider. | | | | wasn't enticing to me at all. Most were bland |
| We have to elect a president after all. Still, the | | | | configurations of jalapeno chiles and tomatoes. Of |
| question lingers in my mind--red or green? | | | | course we would use New Mexico chilies in ours, |
| I'd ordered Blue Corn Enchiladas at Garcia's | | | | but when I suggested we use both red and |
| Kitchen near downtown Albuquerque. Andy Garcia | | | | green, my staff started the rain dance. Red and |
| has excellent food and a number of locations | | | | Green? Who would have thought? |
| throughout the state and in every one you'll be | | | | Again, I considered the chile. Red was hotter that |
| asked the same question. What'll it be? Red or | | | | day and according to the waitress, the green was |
| Green? As I've stated, it all depends. What month | | | | a little wimpy. Still, I could envision the blending of |
| are we in? | | | | each across my plate. The choice was obvious |
| If it's September, the new crop of green chile is | | | | and like I always do, I gave the only answer I |
| being roasted, so getting a fresh batch would be | | | | was capable of. Oh sure, I thought about it, but I |
| a good bet. During the late summer-early fall | | | | always say the same thing. "Christmas, please." |
| months, it's hard to walk down the streets of | | | | As she scribbled on her pad, I wondered if people |
| Albuquerque and not be captivated by the scent | | | | would purchase a Christmas Salsa in March. |
| of roasting chile lingering in the air. Nearly every | | | | |