I can’t believe I’m harvesting this wild heirloom Philippine chilli from my garden here in England! Locals called it "Rimorimo" or siling labuyo (Capsicum frutescens).
A couple of years ago, we went on a little hike up Mt. Isarog in the Philippines and came across these wild chillies growing naturally in the forest.
It looked healthy, with lots of fruit. It reminded me of foraging for its leaves when I was little. which we would cook with coconut milk and native chicken. It was simple but absolutely delicious.
I picked a few and brought them back with me to England. These are the very same ones in the photos
Then I planted the seeds this summer… Only one sprouted.
And now the plant is producing loads of fruit!
Unfortunately, you can see that the plant is starting to struggle now that the weather is getting colder. I’ll need to bring it indoors soon and, of course, save some seeds for next year.
Today, I harvested the ripe chillies, along with some of the green ones. The green ones have this wonderful, pungent, fresh chilli aroma. Don’t be fooled by their tiny size, as these little things are VERY hot!
I dare you to eat one whole… your mouth will be on fire! 😂
These chillies belong to the same broader Capsicum group as Tabasco-type chillies. Tabasco peppers are generally bigger and meatier, but these little wild Philippine chillies have an incredibly distinctive aroma. They are smaller but with a much stronger and more intense chilli fragrance.
And what better way to use them thanby making simple chilli-in-vinegar sauce, the kind I remember seeing on tables in little village restaurants in the Philippines. Just chillies, garlic, black peppercorns and salt. Nothing complicated really. But it's pungent, fiery and packed with chilli flavour.
Drop all the ingredients into the jar.
Then fill the jar with vinegar.
It goes with almost anything and instantly lifts the flavour of a meal.
More than anything, I’m just really happy to have a little touch of the Philippines growing in my garden and now, on my kitchen table too.
Have a lovely day,
Mariah 😀
