Drying thin veined hot peppers, like the Cayenne, is relatively easy. You simply string the peppers through their stems with a needle and thread, fishing line or something equally as thin. You can hang them in a warm dry place, like that of a sunny window, and allow them to dry.

An alternative would be to place them on a plate in a warm dry place. My husband likes to place them on top of the gas range.

This method is not recommended for thicker skinned peppers, like a jalapeno. They tend to mold and rot. If you wish to preserve thicker skins hot peppers, cut their tops off, leaving their seeds intact and place them in an airtight container in the freezer. They freeze beautifully, lasting several months, and taste fresh each time you want to eat them or cook with them.

Hot pepper flakes and hot pepper infused oils are a wonderfully easy and creative way to store your newly dried hot peppers and get the most out of them.

*Be sure to wear gloves when handling hot peppers. Their oils will transfer to the skin and can burn the eyes or other mucus membranes should you touch them with your hands.

Roasted Hot Pepper Flakes

Preheat your oven to 250 degrees. Place the dried hot peppers onto an aluminum foil lined cookie sheet. Roast in the oven for approximately 5 minutes or just until they start to darken. Remove cookie sheet from the over and allow your roasted peppers to cool. Once cool put your peppers into a blender or food processor and pulse until you achieve the desired size of pepper flakes. Store in an airtight container.

Hot Pepper Infused Oil

Heat Infused Method - Be sure the container you wish to use is properly cleaned and sanitized, preferably placing it in boiling water for a short time. Coarsely chop your hot peppers and place to the side. Pour a good seed oil into a frying pan and heat. Do not allow it to burn or begin to smoke. Once hot, remove from heat. Add your hot peppers to the hot oil while it is still quite hot. The hot oil will release the oils from the peppers, infusing the oil with all their heated goodness. Allow the oil to cool to room temperature. You can strain the hot pepper pieces and seeds out if you so choose. Using a funnel, pour the hot pepper infused oil into the glass container you prepared earlier. Store at room temperature.