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