I always try and harvest my habaneros when the turn orange, and yes they are
difficult to dry and will almost always rot. I solved that problem and got
some stunning peppers in the end. First, as you undoubtedly know these
things are F****ing HOT and the residual oils on your hands can be more than
a little problem to your eyes not to mention other more uh...."sensitive"
body parts.
SO... either wear gloves or be very careful. I use a very sharp knife and
slice across the top just below the stem. I use the tip of the knife to
slice the seed pod away from the inside wall of the pepper and remove the
seedpod with some kitchen tweezers. I set up my outdoor grill with a few
briquettes and put them off to one side of the grill, then on the grate away
from the direct fire place the peppers and dry them slowly. Too much heat
they will shrivel. I usually add some soaked mesquite ships. They make a
fantastic smoked dried pepper. It's great to go into the kitchen in
February and open a ziplock bag of smoked habs. Great in lot's of things.
Use your imagination. All of those seeds you cut out? Dry them in the sun
and bag 'em up for next year's crop.
Good luck!
Tom
"Craig Watts" wrote in message
...
I've been growing a numerous variety of peppers for years. The most
versitial is my cayanee that I either dry or can in vinigar. My
question is about the habanero. I know that if I let a cayanee on the
vine long enough it will turn red yet I haverst most of them green and
then process.

When do you harvest your habaneros? Do you pick them green or wait
till they turn orange? I've grown habaneros for years and always
waited untill they turned color. The hottest of course was the Red
Savinia. Over wintered that guy for three years

Anyways, just curious if you folks pick 'em commonly in their green
state.

Thanks,

Craig