In the states of Sonora and Sinaloa, fresh green and red Chiltepins are preserved in vinegar and salt. They are used as a condiment or are popped into the mouth when eating any food--except, perhaps, oatmeal. Since fresh Chiltepins are not available in the U.S., adventurous cooks and gardeners must grow their own. The tiny chiles are preserved in three layers in a 1 pint, sterilized jar.

NOTE: this recipe requires advanced preparation.

Jalapeno, habanero and Scotch bonnet are the most common types of fresh chiles found in Miami cuisine. Plenty of chipotles (smoked jalapenos sold both dry and canned) are used too, as well as the many other dried varieties available. Though most recipes call for some type of chile, the real source of heat in many Latin and Caribbean dishes is the hot sauce. Here, I have included two versions. The Chipotle-Habanero Sauce is a thinner, Latin-style sauce with a scorching finish, and the other is a chunky Caribbean-style version with a little sweetness to temper the heat.

Note: this recipe requires advance preparation.

This recipe appears in the article "Sidekicks: Three Fun Barbecue Side Dishes from Mike
Stines" on the Burn! Blog. Read the story here.

This compound butter adds great flavor and a little heat to grilled sweet corn, a nice rib-eye, or a swordfish steak. It’s also a tasty addition to freshly-baked corn muffins.

Here's a pickled chile recipe from Tlaxcala. These sweet-hot pickled chiles can be the basis of a sauce of their own if they're further puréed, or they can be served as a condiment with enchiladas and other main dishes.

Note that this recipe requires advance preparation.