Homestead mailing list

[<eureka AT hctc.net>]

The chili pequin is native here and grows in the dappled 
shade of my creek. We have forests of them. I think they 
are a 10 on the Scoville scale. We pickle them and use the 
vinegar to spice everything, and then use the pequins in 
salsa. They are also called bird peppers, but I've not 
seen any local birds eat them, we always have plenty.

I remember when I was a kid someone told me if you put 
wood ash on any pepper it would make the pepper hotter. As 
I recall I tried this and the bell peppers were definitely 
warmer in flavor. Does anyone have any knowledge of this?

Although we don't have much winter we do have enough ash 
with which to do something. I'm wondering what everyone 
else does with their ash? I suppose if the soil is lacking 
it could be used in the garden or compost but we have such 
great success as it is I have never had the soil tested. 
Also since we burn some of our junk mail with the wood I 
wonder about the inks which I've heard can be toxic. I 
have no idea if the carbonized ink would still be 
considered so. I also know ash is used in making soap 
although I haven't attempted that yet. Suggestions?

--Sage
way out in Texas