RE: [CH] Chilaca (Pasilla de Oaxaca) plant vendor

Frank J. Hashek (fhashek@comcast.net)
Sun, 23 Jan 2005 14:22:37 -0500 

The Pasilla de Oaxaca probably won't germinate, due to the heat involved in
smoking.  We have quite a few Mexican groceries locally, but I've not yet
seen Pasilla de Oaxaca in stock.  However, they are available (excellent
quality and flavor) at the Spice House.  The Spice House is one branch of
the Penzy family.

	 http://www.thespicehouse.com/product/product_75_description.php

The Spice House home page:
	http://www.thespicehouse.com/info/home.php

These peppers make an excellent vegetarian dish using zuchini, yellow
squash, onions, tomatos, corn and black beans.  

Theusual disclaimers apply i.e. they don't give me any money, I've purchased
here and I'm happy.

Blue skies,
Frank

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-chile-heads@globalgarden.com
[mailto:owner-chile-heads@globalgarden.com] On Behalf Of Matt Evans
Sent: Sunday, January 23, 2005 10:18 AM
To: Jim Nelson
Cc: Chile Heads Post
Subject: Re: [CH] Chilaca (Pasilla de Oaxaca) plant vendor

Jim --

I am afraid that I can't help you in your quest to find plants, but I do
have a couple of questions.  I was always under the impression that a
chilaca, when dried, was a pasilla negro.  In my understanding, this is
quite different from the very hot smoked chile pasilla de Oaxaca
(ref:  "The Art of Mexican Cooking" by Diana Kennedy) which is quite
difficult to find.

However, I know that there are often egregious misnomers with respect to
chiles, and I could be completely wrong.  If I am right, I still have no
idea what chile to grow to be able to create the wonderful chiles pasilla de
Oaxaca that I know and love.  If I am wrong, I can smoke some of the
chilacas that I grow every year, which would make me very happy.

I have attempted to germinate seeds from smoked chiles pasilla de Oaxaca
that I have purchased in Mexico, but I have never had any luck.

Thanks for any insight that you (or anyone else on the list) can provide.

Matt


On Sat, 22 Jan 2005 14:45:53 -0800, Jim Nelson <jmnelson@winfirst.com>
wrote:
> De-lurking to tap into the vast knowledge of the list.
> 
> Alas it appears the at my usual vendor of choice for Chilaca plants ( 
> which with sun, water, love and time yield fruit that can, of course, 
> become Pasilla de Oaxaca) appears to not be in a position to supply 
> the plants this year.  I only need a few but travel too much to be 
> able to incubate properly from seed.  Yes, Yes, I know, Big Drama, 
> fate of the free world in the balance, etc. etc. etc. Nonetheless, 
> with the Mole Negro for next fall in danger, I thought I would check 
> in and see if any of you know a grower who (a) may have the plants (b) 
> will sell in non-commercial quantities and ( c) is located in or will 
> ship to Northern California.
> 
> Gracias
> Jim the Chilehead Lawyer
> (to distinguish himself from other more venerable Jim's contributing 
> to the list)
> 
>