Hi,

just been on the Supernews server as this one ditches posts quite soon, and
re-read some of the chilli threads.

I have just picked over half a kilo (somehow sounds better than 500gms) of
red chillis from the single plant I have in a large tub. No idea of the
type - label (Homebase) just said chilli pepper.

The plant is now in my sun lounge, having spent all summer outside.

I spent a while picking the chillis, as they are mainly small, and realised
that there are still loads of green chillis, some very small, on the plant.
I intend to grow them on for a while to see if the ripen.

Q1 - do chillis need a consistent temperature or minimum light level to keep
growing over winter, or could I still be picking chillis in February?

I have looked at recipe and storage suggestions and favour the 'just stick
them in the freezer' method.
However, the peppers seem to be covered in a variety of very small bugs, so
I don't fancy freezing them without some kind of cleansing.

I think I will blanche them in boiling water for a very short while, rinse
them in cold, dry and freeze most of them and put the rest is olive oil.

Q2 - I read also of the dangers of oil based preserves - botulism etc. - so
will blanching help this in any way? Will freezing then popping the frozen
chillis into oil help or just make things worse?

Cheers

Dave R

P.S. do people with heated greenhouses grow chillis on over the winter?

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