Ripening peppers

[Grainbelt]

I picked all my peppers before they froze. Is it possible to ripen green cayennes? This is my first year growing them.

I dehydrated the ripe red ones and jarred them up and am hoping to do the same with the rest.

[goblueM]

you could try leaving them on the windowsill for a while, works with tomatoes. i'm in the same boat, a million small bell and jalapenos

[hydro]

I doubt it will work because they take so long to ripen. You could try the paper bag with a couple of overripe apples. They ethylene gas given off by the apples tends to ripen other fruit. It works for tomato's so it might work for peppers.

If you have dried cayennes, put them through the food processor for "crushed red peppers". Works great!

[vern]

What's the best way to dehydrate or dry cayenne peppers? I also pulled a bunch right before the freeze hit.

Thanks

[KEN W]

They cannot ripen anymore than they are once they are removed from the plant.

[Surface Tension]

If you keep them on the cool side with some humidity they seem to ripen OK. Pretty much what you would do to store them.

[hydro]

To dry them out, just put them on a tray in the electric oven and leave the light on. The light will keep everything nice an warm and the peppers dry out in a few days.

[Grainbelt]

Vern,

I use a dehydrator set between 135 and 155 degrees overnight and depending how full I fill it maybe into the next day. Just give them a bit of a sqeeze and if you feel a crunch they are ready. I jar them up when dry.

[vern]

Thanks Hydro & Grainbelt!

[croixflats]

Cayenne peppers I thread a fishing line threw them like a rope of garlic and hang them in a south window. Dries them out good and its a good ornamental piece through the winter as I pick one off as I need one.

[dairyman]

I pulled my peppers--plant and all and hung them upside down-- the peppers are ripening now. I strung them on fish line and they are now drying down in my shop