Marty's Travels

My house has wheels

Hatch, New Mexico

Hatch is the Chile Capital of the World. Well, tiny towns frequently have attention-grabbing superlatives they use to gather in the revenue. Chile is grown everywhere here in southern New Mexico, and I guess if Hatch wants to be the capital, then have at it.

The town itself is full of tiny chile producers of everything that can be done with the fruit. Dried on rooftops, driveways, and dirt lots, the place has a bright red color to it this time of year. Roasting is necessary for a lot of products and the smell is one of life’s great pleasures. Roasters are propane-fired, and make a loud roar while the bins turn through the flames. Sight, sound, smell, and taste, Hatch pleases all the senses like no place else.

I have a lot of favorite Hatch products not available anywhere else, certain powders and green chile salsas in particular so I try to grab a supply when I’m here. Then, there’s Sparky’s, a BBQ and burger place whose claim to fame is “It’s worth the drive”. It is, for the green chile cheeseburger which is not served for 50 miles around.

Luckily I’ll be here for a while and will another chance to visit Hatch.