Topic: How Long Can I Store Fresh Chillies?

[merlin11]

my local shop sells really good fresh herbs ect. i bought chillies and on their advice blended with garlic to add to dishes as reqd. not sure how long this will stay fresh. in screwtop jar, in fridge. can anyone give me a guideline please.used as an extra on top of chillies in recipe to add a dash of hotness depending on taste.
hope you can help, but sure someone will. x
merlin

[ast]

Hi Merlin,

At a best guess, I'd say anything up to about a week +/- a day or two should be ok--especially given the high heat involved in most of the "proper" preparation techniques for the final curries.  The thing about keeping garlic is to manage the low acidity, which can lead to botulism if left on its own.  I don't know if the chillies will add enough to the mix to allow you to keep it longer.

I found this link when I was looking into keeping freshly-made garlic/ginger puree that has some information and suggestions for long-term storage:  http://www.practicallyedible.com/edible.nsf/encyclopaedia!openframeset&frame=Right&Src=/edible.nsf/pages/garlic!opendocument.  Most of the time, you'll see garlic and chillies preserved in vinegar or using additional preservatives.

I'm no expert (and I surely don't want you to get sick), but I'd say between the above, you should manage ok.  Look at it this way:  it's an excuse to make lots and lots of curries! ;D

Hope this helps,

ast

[merlin11]

thank you. it still looks and smells good but i shall not take the risk after a few days.
regards merlin

[chillijim]

once you have made the paste, you could freeze in something like an ice cube tray and then store them in a plastic bag so you always have a few blocks ready for use.
Otherwise you could add some vinegar (not sure how much but maybe 10%) which would keep it fresh for an extra week maybe.

Chillijim

[simpo067]

Blitz and freeze in ice cube trays, you can then standardise the amount you are using in your curries as each cube will hold the same amount. I've had some on the go for two months now with no problems.

[thaka tim]

hiya merlin
if you seal them in an airtight container they will stay fresh the best part of a week,what i do is chop them and freeze in a big container and take out and use from frozen as and when ..cheers  thaka tim

[Bobby Bhuna]

I buy great big packs of Birdeye Chilies and freeze them. I then take out as many as I need then chop. I can't tell the difference in the end result and it helps me keep them longer. Coriander is my problem... Off to start a thread... ;D

[Cory Ander]

Hi Merlin,

As you have described it (i.e. simply blended chillies with garlic), I'd also say they would probably "stay fresh" for a few days (maybe a week or so) in the fridge. 

Alternatively, you can puree the chillies in white wine vinegar, put the puree into in a sterilised jar, cover it with extra vinegar (to stop the surface going mouldy), and put it into the fridge (I put mine in the fridge, but I'm not sure that this is strictly necessary).  It will be preserved indefinitely.  I did this, with a kilo of scotch bonnets (that were wrongly underpriced  ), and they were still perfectly fine (well, they LOOKED and TASTED perfectly fine!  ) well over a year later.  Great on cheese on toast too!  ......

....and I'm still alive 

Alternatively, you can puree the chillies in a little water, freeze them in an ice cube tray (of 1 tsp and/or 1 tbsp sized chunks), remove them and keep them frozen in sealable sandwich/freezer bags (or similar).  I also do this with garlic, ginger, coriander (but I don't puree this), etc, etc.  It works pretty well I find 

[HOTRING]

Yep I agree with CA I freeze just about anything thats left over including peppers, apart from chillies, my dad grows a stonking hot chilly & he dosnt even eat them so he leaves them in the sun to dry out giving me a constant supply ;D

[Curry King]

I freeze my chillies, I usualy get a scotch bonnet plant or two at teh West Dean festival each year and have so many I have no choice.  I find it does take some of the heat out of them but just use twice as many