Anaheim Peppers Delivery or Pickup

Named after the city of Anaheim in California, the Anaheim pepper offers a mild level of heat. It grows to a medium length of 6-10 inches. Anaheim peppers are a common chili pepper in the United States because of their versatility and mild, spicy flavor. Most chilies ripen to a dark green color, though some have a red tint. It takes Anaheim peppers around 80 days to reach maturity and in order for the peppers to ripen.

While named after Anaheim, California, the Anaheim pepper originated in New Mexico and continues to flourish there, providing a local and national supply. In New Mexico, the Anaheim pepper goes by the name of "New Mexico Chili" or "Hatch Chili," after the Hatch region it grows in. 

It's also known by the title "New Mexico Chili No. 9," and you might also find them called "Magdalena." When picked green and dried, people call them "Seco del Norte," "Chile de la Tierra," or "Verde del Norte." If allowed to ripen to red and then picked and dried, they are called "California Red" or "Chili Colorado."

The development of the Anaheim pepper was helped by  Emilio Ortega, a farmer who moved to New Mexico in 1890 and immediately became fascinated by the Hatch chili. When Ortega moved back home to Anaheim in 1894, he brought the Hatch chili with him. His passion for growing them led, at first, to simply giving them to others. When he realized how much everyone loved his peppers, he began learning how to preserve and package them for sale, and the Ortega Chili Packaging Company was formed. Today, the Ortega family wealth amounts to over $8 billion.

Anaheim peppers are versatile due to their flavor and make for great roasting and canning due to their thick flesh and size. Like in a Chile Relleno recipe, you can stuff the Anaheim pepper for a delicious dish. Substituting the Anaheim pepper in place of bell pepper can create a spicy alternative. 

Used as part of your mirepoix (a mixture of carrots, celery, and onion), the Anaheim pepper adds heat. Or you can substitute it for the bell pepper in your "holy trinity" recipe, which is a mixture of onion, bell pepper, and celery, or create a greater depth of flavor in stews, soups, and sauces. Anaheim peppers are ideal for making salsa and substitute well for jalapenos. Anaheim peppers make great ristras, the decorative string of peppers that are hung to dry in colorful bunches.

Anaheim peppers continue to ripen once picked. A ripe Anaheim pepper will be dark green with a red tint. A darker or fully red Anaheim pepper will be spicier than green Anaheim peppers. The Anaheim pepper should have a firm feel and be free of blemishes or soft spots that indicate spoilage.

You can keep your Anaheim peppers at room temperature for a few days only. It is best if you refrigerate your Anaheim peppers after purchase to extend their life for 1-2 weeks. 

You can save time shopping for Anaheim peppers by using the Instacart app. Just select the amount of Anaheim peppers and add them to your cart. After checkout, an Instacart shopper will prepare your order, and in as little as 2 hours, have it ready for in-store pick-up! In some cases, your order may qualify for same-day delivery!