How to Handle Hot Chilies

Hot chilies are cousins to the familiar green bell peppers, but they require special handling. Their volatile oils may make your skin tingle and your eyes burn. While working with the chilies, wear rubber gloves if you can and be careful not to touch your face. To prepare chilies, rinse them clean under cold running water. (Hot water may cause fumes to rise from dried chilies, and even these fumes can irritate your nose and eyes.) Cut or break off the stems if you wish to leave the seeds (the hottest parts of chilies) in the pods. If a chili is to be seeded, pull out the stem and the seeds with your fingers. In most cases the ribs inside are thin; but if they seem thick and fleshy you may cut them out with a small, sharp knife. Follow the instructions in the recipes for slicing or chopping chilies. After handling hot chilies it is essential to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.