Seasons/Availability
Scotch Bonnet chile peppers are available year-round with a peak season in the summer through fall.
Culinary Uses
Scotch Bonnet chile peppers are a popular ingredient in Caribbean cuisine and typically used to add heat to hot sauces, curries, marinades, stews, and soups. They can also be cooked until soft and added to salsas or dips for an extra kick of spice. The peppers may be chopped or blended into a paste as well as pickled for extended use. Scotch Bonnet chiles pair well with tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro, ginger, coconut milk, fish sauce, citrus juices like lime and orange juice, rice dishes such as fried rice or jambalaya and meats like chicken and pork. In Jamaica’s national dish Ackee & Saltfish, Scotch Bonnet chiles are an essential ingredient. The peppers should be handled with extreme caution, as the oils in the pepper can cause a burning sensation on the skin and even temporary blindness if rubbed in the eyes. It is recommended to wear gloves when handling Scotch Bonnet chiles.
Nutritional Value
Scotch bonnet peppers are high in vitamin A and vitamin C, as well as many other essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium and folate. They also contain capsaicin which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
Storage
Scotch Bonnet chile peppers can be stored unwashed in a paper bag in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, the peppers can be frozen whole or chopped and placed in an airtight container. The frozen chiles will last up to one year.
Preparation
Scotch Bonnet chile peppers should be washed thoroughly before use. The stem and cap can be removed prior to slicing, mincing, or blending the pepper into a paste. When cooking with Scotch Bonnets, it is recommended to start with small amounts of the pepper and add more as needed since these chiles are some of the hottest peppers available. Using gloves when handling the pepers is highly recommended due to their intense heat! It is also important to avoid touching your eyes after handling these peppers.
