I'm a bit of a hot pepper nut.  I like most savory things on the spicy or "hot" side.  So, many years ago, and after growing hot peppers, I got an idea to make some hot pepper salt.  I call it "Tomas's Terror".  It is easy to make, and if you like to add a zip to casseroles, eggs, mashed potatoes, pizza, etc., then maybe you should make some too.  Below you will find the method that I use to make the hot stuff!

First you have to grow the peppers.  You can also find them in supermarkets or farmer's markets.  This year while preparing the garden, I had had it with these little weeds that cover the garden, and instantly go to seed.  So, instead of tilling them in as in prior years, I took matters into my own hands.  Please do not try this at home, or call the Fire Marshall.  I won't know until the spring if I fixed the problem.

So, I usually till in a few bags of chicken or steer manure, but I skipped it this year.  The Mantis tiller works pretty good in a small garden if the soil is not too hard or rocky.  We used to start our plants from seed, but now just purchase them from a local nursery (Farmer's Exchange).  We usually get a variety of peppers; habaneros, jalapenos, cayenne, Thai hot, Caribbean Reds, Anaheim's, bell, etc.  We don't dry them all, just the hot ones.  We also use the small tomato baskets for support, and a drip watering system.  I'm thinking about removing the cabernet grapes to make more room next year.

Depending on the weather, the peppers are ripe in late September or October.  Hot peppers love hot summers.  The crops are noticeably bigger in hot years.  Not a whole lot you can do about it.  That's farming.  No  big deal if they aren't all ripe, pick all of them at once.  Give them a thorough rinse as the first step in the prep process.

You will want to use food service gloves for this part, and be very cautious as to not rubbing your fingers anywhere near your face.  Cut the tops off each pepper, and slice them in half before adding to your fruit dryer.  I don't do this with the skinny Thai hot peppers.  I put the thicker peppers on the lower racks (jalapenos, e.g.).  Use the proper setting on your dryer (fruit/vegetable).  The dryer that I use takes about 24 hours before they are completely dry.  Smaller peppers can be removed earlier than thicker peppers.  Make sure to put your dryer outside, lest someone with asthma encounter the hot chili vapors.

I used to use just a food processor to grind up the dried peppers, and although it worked for me for years, I finally bought a burr grinder.   Now I blend the whole peppers first in the food processor, then grind them smaller in the burr grinder.  I use a pretty fine grind setting, but you could increase to your liking.  Mainly, the peppers have to get through the holes in the shakers.  The burr grinder is made for coffee grinding, but it works great for grinding peppers, in particular, the seeds.  DO THIS PROCESS OUTDOORS!  And preferably not in windy conditions.  A small breeze is OK.  You may want to wear a facemask, too, as the powdered peppers can behave like hot pepper spray.  Wear food safe plastic gloves too.  Dangerous stuff, people!  After grinding the peppers, in a stainless mixing bowl, I mix the ground peppers with some sea or other iodized salt.  I use a whisk to do this.  I went 2 parts ground peppers to 1 part salt for my previous batch, but this time (2022) I used 3.5 to one.  It is also good to bottle some without salt for pizza, or other pre-salted foods.

Use a funnel and a big spoon or ladle to fill the jars.    I like to "pre-settle" them by filling them, putting on the lid, lightly banging them on the table several times, then taking off the lid and filling them to the top again.  Add labels.  That's it.  Tomas's Terror Time!  Oh, one more note.  Lynn got some ghost peppers one season, so I was able to make one jar of "Herschel's Horror".  This was named after our son's dachshund, who peed on the plant right after it was planted.  One note on labeling, I used to use Dymo labels on them, which is easy, but the ink tends to wear off.  I started using my printer, then sticking them on with clear packing tape.