Big Jim Pepper

Big Jim Pepper

Big Jim is a big New Mexico-type chile. Most fruit land somewhere around 7 to 9 inches long, though some can get considerably larger. A really big one can push into the 10 to 12 inch range.

These are not especially hot. Expect roughly 2,500 to 3,000 SHU, putting them around the low end of jalapeno heat. Green pods have a fresh, mild flavor. Leave them on the plant to ripen red and they become sweeter with a little more noticeable heat.

Growing Big Jim

Plants usually reach around 3 feet tall and can carry some seriously large peppers. Staking Big Jim was developed at New Mexico State University in the 1970s and has become one of the classic New Mexico chile types.

The size makes these especially useful for roasting, stuffing, or making chile rellenos. You get a lot of pepper from a single pod, which is always nice when you are standing in the kitchen cutting up a pile of them.

We grow ours here in Ohio, and they do just fine with a normal warm summer and plenty of sun.