Poblano Chile Pepper

Poblano chiles have a relatively mild heat, about 2,000 Scoville units.

They are never eaten raw; they are always cooked. Most of the poblanos grown in Mexico and the United States are roasted and peeled, and then canned or frozen.

Their size and thick sides make them easy to stuff. Their milder heat will not overwhelm other tastes. In fact, most recipes for stuffed chile (“chiles rellenos”) will suggest you use poblanos.

When dried, poblanos are flat and wrinkled. But here’s the catch: when dried they are not only called something different, but they are called two different things.

• Anchos are poblanos that have been allowed to ripen until red before harvesting and drying. They dry out to a blackish-brown. When rehydrated, they are a dark brick red colour and have a dusky flavour.
• Mulatos are poblanos that have been allowed to ripen until dark brown before harvesting and drying. They dry out to a blackish-brown and remain that colour after rehydrating. The flavour is a bit sweeter than anchos, having undertones of chocolate.

The poblano plant generally grows about 60 cm (2 feet) tall, and starts flowering about 6 weeks after sowing. It produces shiny, dark green chile peppers about 10 cm (4 inches) long, about 4 cm (2 ½ inches) wide, tapering to a point at the far end, with thick, fleshy walls.

Cooking Tips

Remove the skin before cooking.

Nutrition

The heat level is quite mild, about 2,000 Scoville units.