Beware the Ristra

Photo nps.gov

Photo by Lisa E White

Chile Ristras make great Southwestern decorations, especially when hung on portals and patios.  Chiles have a 7,000 year history in the New World, first traveling to Europe with Columbus in 1492.  When fresh, they are a vegetable and when dried, are considered a spice.  Chile fruits are actually considered berries, and not related to the black pepper spice.  For ease of drying, they are strung together in ristras, which helps keep the birds away.  I bought my first ristra about 20 years ago at Park and Swap and hung it on our patio wall.  Within a few days, I heard little sounds coming from it, and the next day, the entire ristra was visibly moving.  Hundreds of crickets had hatched and were eating my drying peppers.  So, if you want  to use chiles in cooking - beware, on several levels.  If you want a ristra for decoration, choose one that has been shellacked.