Wild Peppers in Texas - Chile Pequin

Chile Pequin

There are several native edible plants that grow wild in central Texas. Texas is home to and part of the natural range of a wild chile pepper, Chile Pequín (Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum) is a small and very hot pepper that is the mother of the majority of our cultivated varieties and bears fruit almost all year long when winter temperatures are moderate. It is quite tasty and easy to find. Known affectionately as “bird peppers”, they come up most anywhere birds have deposited the seeds, especially mockingbirds. You can also find dried ones for sale in many ethnic Latin American grocery stores and markets.

The most common uses are in salsa, soups, vinegars, beans, and pickled. They are used mainly for a liquid hot pepper. The green peppers are usually pickled in vinegar and the red ones are usually dried and crumbled for use as a seasoning.

The Pequín is the smallest of all chilies and is only about a third of an inch long and wide. Do not let its small size mislead you. They are extremely hot and have a Scoville Heat Unit rating of anywhere from 30,000 to 60,000 heat units. They also have a very complex and nutty flavor which may account for their popularity with birds. Just two of these small peppers smashed in a bowl of beans will get the party started!

There was a time when every South Texan had a bottle of chile pequins in vinegar sitting on the dinner table. The usual custom was to add vinegar as you used the pepper sauce. Later, when a new crop of chile pequins were available, you got rid of the old chiles and made a fresh batch.

Chile Pequin Liquid Sauce

Ingredients: (depending upon the size of your sauce bottle)

1/2 cup chile pequins

1/2 cup white vinegar

Directions:

Clean a previously used pepper sauce bottle with boiling water. Pack the chilies tightly in the bottle. Make sure they have been thoroughly rinsed and cleaned.

The next step is to heat some vinegar in a small pan over low heat until it just begins to steam. Pour your hot vinegar over the chiles to the top of the jar.

Allow the mixture to sit until cooled and wait for at least a day before using your sauce. The bottle can be refilled with vinegar several times.

You can get additional information here:

http://www.pequin.us/

Be aware. Be informed. Be prepared.

Riverwalker

Tuesday's Tips for Preppers - Pesky Critters

Pesky Critter Tips:

1.) Got a problem with those pesky little barn swallows nesting on the front or back of your porches causing SHTF (Stuff Hitting The Floor)? Simply put a bead of lemon-scented dishwashing liquid (Joy, etc.) along the edge where they are trying to build a nest and they will go somewhere else. Caution: Barn swallows are a federally protected species and you’re not supposed to interfere with their nests once they’re started.

2.) Got a problem with slugs or snails in your garden? Sprinkle the area around your plants with either coffee grounds or crushed egg shells. This creates an abrasive barrier that they won’t cross.

3.) Got a problem with the deer munching on your plants? Take your deodorant soap scraps; place them in a piece of old hosiery (Do Not use the wife’s good ones!) and hang in and around your garden and your plants. The fragrance from the deodorant soap will discourage their appetite for your goodies!


These are just a few tips you might find useful. Got a tip of your own on how to handle pesky critters? Leave a comment and make yourself famous!

Be aware. Be informed. Be prepared.

Riverwalker

Companion Gardening

Many new gardeners experience a number of problems when they first attempt a garden on their own. They suffer a myriad of problems that may not be their fault. It’s sometimes as simple as planting the right combination of vegetables in the right place. This is known as companion gardening. Many people are aware of the “Three Sisters” technique when planting a garden. Fortunately for gardeners there are a number of other combinations that will help you grow a better and healthier garden without the use of pesticides and herbicides. Organic gardeners frequently use these techniques.

Some combinations will help to eliminate pests from your garden plants or attract beneficial insects to help it grow better. Some combinations will help to enhance the growth and flavor of your produce.

Other combinations can have detrimental effects on your garden as well and need to be avoided. A prime example of this is the combination of dill and carrots. When planted in close proximity to each other dill will stunt the growth of your carrots and cause a significant reduction in your yield.

Here are some links to resources for more information:

Planting Guide here:

http://www.ghorganics.com/page2.html

Planting List here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_companion_plants

The Top 12 Vegetables are listed here:

http://www.humeseeds.com/comp1.htm

Be sure to check out The Value of a Garden and Do You Want the Crash at The Survival Podcast .

Be aware. Be informed. Be prepared.

Riverwalker

El Cheapo Compost Bin

This idea comes to us from Rook of the Foraging Prepper blog. Thanks Rook! Here is his description of a low buck compost bin, with pictures:

Ok, you will need to get 4 pallets to make your compost bin. I made my bin for under $5 bucks. Go to depot and get some 4 sturdy L brackets, 2 Strap hinges, a latch system and gate handle for the door.



This is a great addition to any prepper's garden, and as you can see, it can be built for just a few bucks. From the photo, it looks like there's some chicken wire in there as well. That'll add a few more dollars to the project, but it can still be built for under 10 bucks. Pallets can be had for free from most grocery stores, or your friendly neighborhood China Mart....