Pasilla Bajio Information
What is a pasilla pepper? Also called pasilla bajio, this chili’s name in Spanish literally means “little raisin.” This is a slight misnomer, since the pepper is much bigger than a raisin, usually reaching 6 to 9 inches (15-23 cm.) in length and 1 inch (2.5 cm.) in diameter. It’s the color of the pepper, which turns a very dark brown when it matures, that earns the plant its name. Pasillas can be harvested green and immature to make sauces and salsas. They can also be harvested mature and dried. It’s in this form that they are used, along with ancho and guajillo chiles, to make the classic Mexican mole sauce. As chilies go, pasillas are not particularly hot. They have a Scoville rating of 1,000 to 2,500, which means they are equal to less hot than a mild jalapeno. As they mature and become darker in color, they also get hotter. They mostly have a rich, pleasant, almost berry-like flavor.
How to Grow Pasilla Peppers
Growing pasilla peppers is easy, and very similar to growing any other chili peppers. The plants are not at all cold tolerant, and should not be planted outdoors until all chance of frost has passed. In frost free climates, they can live for years, but in colder climates they can be grown successfully as annuals. They like full sun and rich, well-draining soil. They tend to reach 1.5 feet (50 cm.) in height. If picked mature, the pepper can be eaten fresh or, more commonly, dried in a dehydrator, oven, or other place with good air circulation.
