FOOD|NUITRITION|HEALTH

Do Not Underestimate The Humble Green Chilies: It is A Culinary Power House

The bitter taste brings a fiery essence to the food.

Today I went to someone’s house for lunch. One of the friends asked “Do you have green chilies? I am in the habit of eating them with my lunch.”

She immediately obliged everyone with a plate full of chilies. These fiery little greens seem to be there in a lot of homes. In India particularly they are freely available and people love them.

Green chilies, vibrant and fiery, are more than just a spice; they’re an indispensable element in diverse cuisines around the globe.

Known for their piquant flavor and subtle heat, these small wonders add depth and complexity to dishes, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Green chilies are often a discussion point between those who like them and want to have them abundantly in their homes and those who cannot stand the fiery taste.

These chilies come in various shapes and sizes, each of them having a different unique heat level, from mildly tangy to scorchingly hot.

Even though many people cannot eat them because of their fiery taste, they cannot avoid them completely.

How can green chilies be used?

There are multiple ways in which green chilies can be used

They enhance the taste of salsas, sauces, curries, and marinades, and they provide a kick that elevates the entire dish.

Green chilies can be diced, roasted, pickled, or used as a garnish, their presence is unmistakable, as they leave a tangy taste and mark on the palate.

Health benefits of green chilies

Green chilies, I am told offer a multitude of health benefits. They are full of vitamins A, C, and K, they boost immunity and metabolism.

They also contain antioxidants, calcium, zinc, and iron. This means that everyone should include green chilies in their diet as it is supposed to be good for skin, eyes, heart, lungs, and digestion.

Their capsaicin content is used in medicines to aid in pain relief and act as a metabolism booster.

this means that we cannot do away with green chilies. I used to like them but now I start getting tears if I try to eat them raw but I enjoy their tanginess in sauces and dishes even though tears keep rolling down while I eat them.

International uses of green chilies

Green chilies are used in many countries' In Mexican cuisine, they are used as a base for zesty salsas and sauces.

In Thai cooking, they’re an integral part of the Thai curry pastes.

In Indian dishes, it is sizzled in the pan, infusing curries with their required heat and it enhances the aroma of delicacies.

In Malaysia, a vegetable stew is made from julienned or shredded vegetables sauteed in coconut oil and seasoned with spices like curry leaves, turmeric, cumin powder, and green chilies. The vegetables are simmered with coconut milk and yogurt.

In some Italian dishes, green chilies are fried and used as a side dish or appetizer. this recipe is also a delicious filling for sandwiches and hamburgers.

How do I use green chilies?

1️⃣The green chutney: The green chutney is easy to make and it adds zing and flavor like a sauce with any snack that you make or simply as an add-on to your food.

You will require the following ingredients Coriander leaves and or Mint leaves Onion Salt Lime Green chili to taste. You can add even a quarter if you don’t like it too bitter. Just grind them. Add the salt and lime.

2️⃣Ginger with green chopped chili and lime.

Just chop green chilies Grate the ginger Add Lime Add salt to taste

This tastes good with food and it is a digestive too. It is good for health.

Spluttering red chilies

When the green chilies dry and turn red. Heat the oil and add the chili to it. Then put it in the curry. The flavor is amazing. You don’t need to eat the chili. It is the essence that makes the taste so good.

In South India, my friends add it to sambar, Lemon rice, and many other dishes. In North India, we put it in a dish called Kadhi. We also use it for our curries and our famous Chef Sanjeev Kapur uses it for all his non-vegetarian dishes.

I have also seen that in India 7 red chilies are used to ward off the evil eye of people. Very often it is taken around the head and face of babies that no one should cast a spell on them.

To wrap up

I went to the market to see the Christmas cheer and look what I found.

& green chilies and a lime. It keeps the air fresh and also casts away the evil eye. Shopkeepers in India and many homes have them hung outside so that good luck is not taken away by anyone. It is believed that no evil spirits will enter the premises with the fragrance of lime and green chilies.

Green chilies and lime purify the air and keep it clean.

Good luck and goodbye. Experiment with green chilies and let me know how you feel and like them.

Don’t forget to try making a pickle too. I tried and it came out delicious. When I make it next time I will share the recipe with you.

©Dr. Preeti Singh, 2023.

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