The pasilla chile (/ˌpɑːˈsiːjə/ pah-SEE-yuh) or chile negro is the dried form of the chilaca chili pepper,[1] a long and narrow member of the species Capsicum annuum. Named for its dark, wrinkled skin (literally "little raisin"),[2] it is a mild to hot, rich-flavored chile. As dried, it is generally 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) long and 1 to 1+1⁄2 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm) in diameter.
| Pasilla | |
|---|---|
 Two pasilla chiles | |
| Species | Capsicum annuum |
| Heat |  Low |
| Scoville scale | 1,000–3,999 SHU |
The fresh narrow chilaca can measure up to 9 inches (230 mm) long and often has a twisted shape, which is seldom apparent after drying. It turns from dark green to dark brown when fully mature.[3]
In the United States, producers and grocers sometimes incorrectly use "pasilla" to describe the poblano, a different, wider variety of pepper, the dried form of which is called an ancho.[4][5]
Use
editPasilla are used especially in sauces. They are often combined with fruits and are excellent served with duck, seafood, lamb, mushrooms, garlic, fennel, honey, or oregano.[citation needed] They are sold whole or powdered in Mexico, the United States, and the United Kingdom.[citation needed]
Pasilla de Oaxaca is a variety of smoked pasilla chile from Oaxaca used in mole negro.[6]
See also
edit- Chipotle - The smoked and dried form of the jalapeño chili pepper.
- Guajillo - The dried form of the mirasol chili pepper.
- List of Capsicum cultivars
References
edit- ^ Jean Andrews (January 1995). Peppers: the domesticated Capsicums. University of Texas Press. p. 111. ISBN 978-0-292-70467-1. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
- ^ Rombauer, I, et al. (1997). The Joy of Cooking, pp. 399–402, New York: Scribner. ISBN 0-684-81870-1
- ^ Andrews, Jean (2005). The peppers cookbook: 200 recipes from the pepper lady's kitchen. Denton, Tex: University of North Texas Press. p. 16. ISBN 1-57441-193-4. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
- ^ "Pasilla vs. Poblano". Fiery-Foods.com. Archived from the original on 2010-11-24.
- ^ "Pepper, chili". CHOW. CBS Interactive.
- ^ DeWitt, Dave; Evans, Chuck (1997). The Pepper Pantry: Chipotle. Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts, an imprint of Ten Speed Press. ISBN 9780307824363. Retrieved 2012-10-08.
Pasilla de Oaxaca: a variety of pasilla chile that is smoked in Oaxaca and is used in the famous mole negro.
Further reading
edit- Kennedy, Diana. The Cuisines of Mexico (revised edition) New York: Harper & Row, 1986.
- Kennedy, Diana. From My Mexican Kitchen: Techniques and Ingredients. New York: Clarkson Potter/Publishers, 2003.
- McMahan, Jacqueline Higuera. Red & Green Chile Cookbook. Lake Hughes, CA: The Olive Press, 1992.