Nutritional properties of chilli
Reading the nutritional values of chili peppers, a good amount of vitamin C and flavonoids is found, but it is capsaicin, which is responsible for hotness, which makes it beneficial for health .
This substance, taken in non-excessive doses, increases the blood supply both to the stomach and to peripheral tissues. This means that the chili pepper is beneficial for the cardio-vascular system and digestion . Furthermore, it is anti-rheumatic and antibacterial .
The chili can be eaten dry or fresh, raw or cooked. Making it dry enhances its spiciness and flavor and allows it to be preserved for longer periods, but even fresh chilli is great for giving character and warmth to dishes .
This spice can be used for a vast number of recipes, paying a little attention because its very strong character can cover more subtle flavors .
There are many hot pepper varieties and each has a degree of spiciness. The spicy part of the pepper is concentrated in the filaments of the inner cuticle of the peel: it is here that capsaicin is produced.
However, contraindications should not be underestimated. In case of allergy, or when the stomach and intestines are delicate or compromised, it is best to stay away from the chili pepper. To avoid irritating the mucous membranes it is advisable to handle it using gloves, especially for the hottest species.
Chilli: how to sow it and cultivate it
Chili can be grown in the garden , but also at home and on the balcony . What is needed is a large vase, light and water. The plant is resistant and does not need special care, but must receive plenty of sunshine and direct light .
If you don't buy seedlings already grown to be transplanted, however, you need to start with sowing . To plant the chilli plants between April and May, and then get the fruits in the summer, you must bury and sprout the seeds three or four months before.
A series of plastic cups can be filled with soil, burying a seed for each of them, about a centimeter deep. It is good to water every time the humidity of the earth decreases, without exaggerating.
The glass should be kept at home, in a warm and warm place, exposed to the light (even indirect) of the sun. Once the sprout is ticked, the plant is cured by watering it and keeping it warm and light. If necessary, the container can be replaced with a larger one, taking care not to damage the roots.
In late spring, when the night temperature has exceeded 10 degrees steadily, the seedling can be stored outdoors.
Each variety of chilli has its size and fruit ripening times. Checking the details of the chosen variety is therefore essential to distance the seedlings correctly and to know when the fruits can be harvested.
Hot peppers need to be exposed to direct sunlight as much as possible. It should be watered regularly but do not overdo it, since the earth must remain moist without excessively leaching.
Once the fruits are exhausted, the plants are affected by winter temperatures. They can be kept in open lands, covered with transparent sheets, as long as the temperatures do not fall below 5 degrees . Otherwise, the chili rot and die.
Chili pepper: how to dry it
The dried chilli acquires more pronounced spicy notes and can be used whole, minced, or in addition to oils and spices to flavor the dishes.
The first step to dry the peppers is to wash them thoroughly and dry them ; they can be cut or left whole, depending on your preference.
After that, you can dry the peppers:
> in the open air, leaving them for a few days in the sun on a metal grill or pan. Starting in the late afternoon and at night, it is recommended to store them in a closed and dry place;
> in the oven, lit for five hours at a temperature of 80 degrees;
> in the dryer, where times are slightly longer than those required for the oven.
Use chili as an insecticide
The chili pepper, due to its "irritating" properties, can be very effective when used as a natural insecticide in gardens and vegetable gardens .
Also in this case, the procedure is very simple. First of all, you need to finely blend a fresh chilli pepper in a cup of water. The mixture must then be diluted in two liters of water: from here two tablespoons are taken from time to time, mixed with half a liter of water to spray on the flowers and plants.