[CH] RE:Rocotos

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Hi Dan

I've tried for 2 years to grow these things (I live northwest of Boston, Zone 5) with almost no success.  Last year (1998) I started them from seed and had 2 nice plants with about 18 peppers ranging from olive to plum size.  They never came close to ripening before I had to bring them inside for the winter.  I tried to ripen the fruit in a paper bag but they all dried out and rotted.  I heard that overwintering rocotos makes them bloom sooner the following year but mine set fruit even later (mid-September) this year.  I dug up one plant and moved it inside.  Right now there are about 8-10 date/quince-size peppers still on the plant but they are showing no signs of ripening.  Based on what I read, they like cool temps, shade, and a long growing season so they are adapted to a very narrow climate zone (like the Andes mountains).  We can't get rocotos up in Northeast markets so its very frustrating to hear about these unique peppers but never have a chance to even try one.  I did find some canned rocotos in a Spanish market but they had a watery/tinny taste.  Good luck should you decide to try.

Jeff
Jeffro's Serious Sauces
http://www.ultranet.com/~jeffro/Home

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