Fresh chillies at Fortnum's [London]

[Peg]

Fortnums isn't my usual greengrocer, but I popped in yesterday to admire the tinsel and nibble the free samples - and I chanced upon 400g bags of mixed fresh chillies in the veg section. The first surprise was the price - a snip at £5 - the second surprise was the lovely mix of varieties - different shapes, sizes and colours - some new to me.
The supplier is 'Edible Ornamentals' of Chawson, from whom you can buy 500g bags of jalenenos from their website for £6 (making the Fortnums price all the more surprising).

I have just taken a load of photos of the chillies for use on my Christmas cards this year and so haven't tasted any yet - but I have no reason to believe that they are not worth the money.

So I recommend you pop to Fortnums and get them while they're hot!

(PS - yes I know they are not spelled 'chillies' in the US, but they are here).

[cathodetube]

Loads of chillis on Rye Lane, SE15 round where I live, just pick up a few as and when. Have even been given some for free when I just want or two.

[Robin Joy]

400g of fresh? You must get through them! A 50g bag of bird's eyes gives me a week's worth.

[Peg]

I freeze them raw - they can still be used pureed with other ingredients, but get a bit too soft to chop. (I always leave the seeds and membrane in when I cook with chillies - I like the heat).

If I ate them fresh it would take me a month or so (alone) to get through that much fresh chilli. Assuming they didn't rot and my intestines could endure the onslaught for that long!