Back to this topic. A few days ago I bought a kilo of aji / chiles from our local fruit and vegetable shack “La Curva” on Ruta Provincial 4. I got a kilo because, well, Argentinian chile isn’t up to much.
As it turns out, a kilo of chile is quite a lot, and I’ve just finished de-seeding them under running water with 3 breaks to recover from my coughing and sneezing fits. My hands are starting to burn now.
After having made a simple sofrito I’m boiling up the Chiles with onion, tomato, red pepper, celery, and garlic. The house will probably be uninhabitable shortly, and I hope to blend and bottle the end product by tomorrow.
I guess finding good chile here is very seasonal and I just lucked out. Unfortunately, the last words from the owner of La Curva were that he’s going on holiday, with Argentinian campesino precision he said. “Una semana, o dos”. If anyone is interested, I can give a heads-up when he’s back and if he has chile. In the meantime try your local verduleria, you might get lucky.