I have the same issues as you. Pick the ripe peppers and freeze them. My habanero do not ripen until late September and into October, and they are part of my recipe. I have a boatload of frozen cayenne and jalapeno waiting for the day. Hot peppers freeze well.
Before my hot peppers go the blender I pluck off the stems. Does anyone leave the stems on? Is there a noticeable difference in taste? My blender obliterates anything that goes in it.