Fancy Navajo Recipe: How to Roast Green Chile in the Oven

It’s my favorite time of the year! Hatch Green chile roasting time!! If you grew up in New Mexico than you know exactly what I am talking about. It’s really the most magical time of year in my opinion. Can you smell the green chile in the air? If you’ve never experienced this before don’t worry. Because today I will be sharing how to roast Hatch Green Chiles at home and where you can get New Mexico Hatch Chiles here in Arizona.

First of all, I am sure you are wondering….

Where can I buy New Mexico Hatch Green Chile in Arizona???

Every year I make my once a year Hatch Green Chile pilgrimage during the fall to pick up a big box of fresh Hatch Green Chiles from New Mexico. I carefully put a seat belt on my box of green chile and head back to Arizona. Then I spend an afternoon roasting them in my oven. Once all of the chiles are roasted I put them into freezer bags and use throughout the year. It’s my favorite activity once August rolls around.

However, I was recently gifted green chile from Food City a local grocery store here in Arizona and I was surprised that it was New Mexico Hatch Chile. How awesome is that??? Now I don’t have to go home to New Mexico to get Hatch Green Chile!! Woohoo!! Now until the end of September you can pick up mild to hot heat levels of fresh Hatch green chiles! They can even roast them for you, free of charge! Head to this link here to find your nearest Food City.

Also, if you have never been to Food City grocery store then you are missing out. I looooove this store. Not only is it a traditional grocery store, but it has EVERYTHING you need to make your favorite Mexican food dishes. They even have a variety of seasonal Hatch Chile foods like Hatch & Cheese Cornbread Muffins and Hatch Breakfast Burritos to name a few! Are you drooling yet? Cause I am.

Okay now to the roasting!!

Roasting green chiles is super simple. It takes less than 10 minutes. I like to roast a large batch and freeze to use throughout the year. I roast my green chile in my oven. No fancy roasting contraptions needed. But if roasting and cooking isn’t your thang, then just head on over to your local Food City and have them roast them for you!

How to Roast New Mexico Hatch Chiles in the Oven

Thoroughly rinse fresh, crisp peppers
Using the broil function, heat the oven to 400 degrees F, with the oven rack placed as close to the heating element as possible
Place chiles in a single layer on a cookie sheet or other non-stick, oven-safe flat surface
Allow chiles to roast about 6 to 8 minutes, watching for the skins to begin blistering and pulling away from the pepper’s flesh
Rotate peppers, if necessary, to keep the chiles from burning
To remove the skins, carefully place hot peppers into a bowl and cover. The steam helps to easily remove the skins.
If you want to store for later, cool chiles and store in freezer bags and store in freezer to use throughout the year. Keeps for a year.