How to dry chillies

Chillies have a short harvesting 'window' in summer for using fresh. So it's a good idea to harvest and dry them for use throughout winter. Here's how to do it.

Discover delicious ways to cook your chilli harvest, at BBC Good Food.

You Will Need

• Scissors
• Large needle
• Cotton or fishing line

Total time: 30 minutes

Step 1

Use sharp scissors or secateurs to remove chillies from the plant, keeping the green cap and stalk above each fruit intact. Throw away any rotten fruit.

Step 2

Using a large needle with strong cotton or fishing line, thread the chillies down the line through the green stalk.

Step 3

Hang them up inside, somewhere warm and dry. They can be used straight from the string, and make fantastic Christmas decorations.

Find out more about preserving your harvests.