New Mexico's Primary Colors: Red, White & Green

Skiers and snowboarders headed to New Mexico resorts this week are in for a colorful and flavorful time. Right now, the primary color on the New Mexico skier's palette is white ... from north to south our ski areas are covered with a deep blanket of snow. In January the snow gods were very good to us. Some resorts picked up over five feet of snow this month!

The other colors hungry skiers will be seeing are red and green, as in red and green chile. Many New Mexicans eat chile at almost every meal. They might start their day with huevos rancheros smothered in a fiery red chile. A green chile cheese burger sounds good for lunch. How about blue corn chicken enchiladas for dinner with both red and green (or served "Christmas", as they say)?

It's difficult to know which variety of chile is hotter, red or green, so many variables - weather, soil, variety, roasting methods and more change the flavor of chile. So when you are ordering New Mexican food and your server asks the question, "Would you like red or green?", don't hesitate to ask which one is hotter. Bon Appetite!