Farm Progress

New Mexico chile harvest answers the 'red or green' questionNew Mexico chile harvest answers the 'red or green' question

The large, New Mexico style chile peppers are a big part of the state's culture and cuisine

Todd Fitchette, Associate Editor

October 7, 2022

10 Slides
wfp_todd_fitchette_hartman_farms_chili-1793.jpg

Already have an account?

The Machete chili variety is popular with growers and consumers for its size and flavor.Todd Fitchette

The New Mexico chile harvest gets underway in September. Locations like Deming and Hatch are known for their production of chile peppers that are part of Southwestern cuisine. The large, New Mexico style chiles are also part of a culture in the Land of Enchantment. Restaurant goers will often be asked “red or green,” when ordering, meaning, do they want red chile with their food, or green chile.

Hartman Farms in Deming, NM, farms chile and other crops in the region. Green chile harvest in late September was going through its first of probably two picks of chiles from fields on the edge of town.

Developed and bred by Arizona farmer Ed Curry, the Machete variety is popular with growers and buyers as it can yield good tonnage and high quality. Olam Spices, a vertically integrated global producer and supplier of spice ingredients, processes Hartman’s chile peppers from a facility in Deming.

About the Author

Todd Fitchette

Associate Editor, Western Farm Press

Todd Fitchette is the associate editor for Western Farm Press. He began his journalism career in community newspapers in California, where he quickly earned top honors from the National Newspaper Association for his photography.

Much of his journalism career has been spent writing about agricultural issues in the western United States, writing relevant stories for large herd dairy producers, covering agronomic topics on a variety of specialty crops, and covering public policy issues centered primarily on labor and water issues. He has repeatedly been honored by the Fresno County Farm Bureau for his coverage of agricultural issues in California.

Subscribe to receive top agriculture news
Be informed daily with these free e-newsletters

You May Also Like