Essegi 2017: at bare minimum

Essegi · May 17, 2017

Here my "first pod of the year™"!

Ooooh, that stuff has potential. I guess it was still unripe since it tasted of grass (well, cold and rain didn't help i guess), but otherwise was good. Contrary to Locato that one isn't bitter and i appreciate it more. Texture was special, much more juicy than any other pepper i've tasted. Also i tried a mini bruschetta with garlic, provolone and some CAP363 and it tasted very good due to pepper. Yeah, that stuff has potential, next time i'll see to wait a week from full colour before picking it up
Heat is not strong but that's ok for this pepper and you can feel it.

New toys:

Can't wait to try those that weekend!

PaulG · May 17, 2017

Wow, that gear looks serious, Giancarlo!
Good luck, enjoy your climb and be careful!

Your garden looks great. I feel your pain about
the hail - it really set my pubescens back. But there
are pods forming, so I guess all is not lost!

Continued success, brother :cheers:

Devv · May 17, 2017

Congrats on your first pod

I've been letting the pubes stay on the plant around two weeks after they turn to color, watching them closely of course.

Enjoy the new toys safely!

Essegi · May 18, 2017

PaulG said:
Wow, that gear looks serious, Giancarlo!
Good luck, enjoy your climb and be careful!

Your garden looks great. I feel your pain about
the hail - it really set my pubescens back. But there
are pods forming, so I guess all is not lost!

Continued success, brother

Thanks Paul, luckily hail damaged just some leaves but plants are ok. Chinense are still small but i think they start rolling now. While other plants started to grow, chinense improved they colour. Time also to set pods, aside first Primo Orange others have nothing.
That toys are specifical for via ferrata, it's still hiking, so there's no climbing involved.
I hope that it would be useful for some routes (on dolomites and pre alps there are many ferrate) and to approach mountaineering.
Saturday we'll try that one:

It's on a rock gym, short but considered difficult. Just to test how people react.
On sunday there's the hike and the insctructor didn't want to tell us where we go... Just that the meeting is at 5:30am even if we won't go sto far, to avoid heat and people...

Devv said:
Congrats on your first pod I've been letting the pubes stay on the plant around two weeks after they turn to color, watching them closely of course.

Enjoy the new toys safely!

Thanks, Scott, for the tip! That one had been fully coloured for 1 day and for sure could have stayed some more days, let's see with hotter temps. I was worried since last year i had to pick most Locato unripe since they started to dry, i'd say that the stak were really prone to ruin easily. I hope, with roots on ground, that CAP363 will be more collaborative.

tsurrie · May 20, 2017

Congrats on the first pod Giancarlo. And the new climbing equipment. Remember, safety first!

Essegi · May 25, 2017

Not much standing out those days...
Plants are growing, 7pods orange not so much, Avenir a bit more, Serrano and CAP363 more, Zuzqua not so much, just their pods (and it's not that bad).

Now i am wating for some CAP363 to ripe, i have some like that:

Also, finally, some more pods are setting:

Those are the CAP363 on back

They're growing faster than the one on front of my home.

Serrano aren't huge and don't have pods, but they're on the right way:

Zuzqua:

Pods still growing, we'll see.

tsurrie said:
Congrats on the first pod Giancarlo. And the new climbing equipment. Remember, safety first!

Thanks!
From what i've seen if you use ferrata set properly (and not everyone use it that way it seems) it's not that dangerous.

On health side medics finally found my foot problem, it's indeed Morton's Neuroma... I'm not convinced that this is all, i hope medics have it right...
Probably i'll have to operate and stop a couple of months from hiking that, if it solves, it's not that bad... In doubt i'm returning to use my mtb...
I just hope it doesn't worsen too much before an eventual operation since i'd like to participate on a good hike at mid June and an hard one at end of July that should be wonderful.

By the way, last weekend had been a good one.
On saturday:

On left theachers tested us with a mountaineering descent... Well, it was cool! Also comfortable... No problems with knees or foot for sure.

On right the first part of that little ferrata. Usually beginning is purposely the hardest part, so you can withdrawn safely. It wasn't very long but quite exposed and probably i used my arms too much (arms should be used as less as possible to avoid unnecessary effort).
Also, we avoided rain for some minutes... What a luck...

On sunday we went to Carega that is the highest peak of Piccole Dolomiti group, via ferrata Campalani.
Weather was awesome... Sight ranged from Venice lagoon to Garda lake and we've even seen Apennine Mountains... And temperature was just right.
Piccole Dolomiti aren't huge or very high (Carega is 2259 m above the sea) but seems higher mountain...

That has been really fun! Also it's much less scary than what this seems. That way was very climbable but with safety and with the aid of chain and wire (that i tried to avoid to use as much as possible, except for carabiners of course).
The start was considered very difficult, to be honest it seemed easy to me. I found harder the central chimney.

Here an overview...

And a sight from the start...

On first pic Cima Carega:

And then some landscape...

tsurrie · May 25, 2017

I see you're well organized. Nice climb. Beautiful places.

FreeportBum · May 26, 2017

Essegi said:
Not much standing out those days...
Plants are growing, 7pods orange not so much, Avenir a bit more, Serrano and CAP363 more, Zuzqua not so much, just their pods (and it's not that bad).

Now i am wating for some CAP363 to ripe, i have some like that:

Also, finally, some more pods are setting:

Those are the CAP363 on back

They're growing faster than the one on front of my home.

Serrano aren't huge and don't have pods, but they're on the right way:

Zuzqua:

Pods still growing, we'll see.

Thanks!
From what i've seen if you use ferrata set properly (and not everyone use it that way it seems) it's not that dangerous.

On health side medics finally found my foot problem, it's indeed Morton's Neuroma... I'm not convinced that this is all, i hope medics have it right...
Probably i'll have to operate and stop a couple of months from hiking that, if it solves, it's not that bad... In doubt i'm returning to use my mtb...
I just hope it doesn't worsen too much before an eventual operation since i'd like to participate on a good hike at mid June and an hard one at end of July that should be wonderful.

By the way, last weekend had been a good one.
On saturday:

On left theachers tested us with a mountaineering descent... Well, it was cool! Also comfortable... No problems with knees or foot for sure.
On right the first part of that little ferrata. Usually beginning is purposely the hardest part, so you can withdrawn safely. It wasn't very long but quite exposed and probably i used my arms too much (arms should be used as less as possible to avoid unnecessary effort).
Also, we avoided rain for some minutes... What a luck...

On sunday we went to Carega that is the highest peak of Piccole Dolomiti group, via ferrata Campalani.
Weather was awesome... Sight ranged from Venice lagoon to Garda lake and we've even seen Apennine Mountains... And temperature was just right.
Piccole Dolomiti aren't huge or very high (Carega is 2259 m above the sea) but seems higher mountain...

That has been really fun! Also it's much less scary than what this seems. That way was very climbable but with safety and with the aid of chain and wire (that i tried to avoid to use as much as possible, except for carabiners of course).
The start was considered very difficult, to be honest it seemed easy to me. I found harder the central chimney.

Here an overview...

And a sight from the start...

On first pic Cima Carega:

And then some landscape...

Great pics my friend! Looks like you have been really enjoying life. Cooking anything good lately? Cheers

Essegi · May 26, 2017

tsurrie said:
I see you're well organized. Nice climb. Beautiful places.

Thanks!
Yeah, we had something like 1 helper every 2 students.

FreeportBum said:
Great pics my friend! Looks like you have been really enjoying life. Cooking anything good lately? Cheers

Thanks, nice to hear you!
I made some pizza a couple of weeks ago and tomorrow i'm going to make chili for the hike (an instructor spoke too much about my chili, so i'm cooking it again..D).

Devv · May 26, 2017

Well Giancarlo, I see you graduated from hiking to rock climbing

Glad you're having fun and going about it correctly; having instructors to teach as you go.

Plants are looking stellar; and the scenery, is simply magnificent!

Trident chilli · May 27, 2017

As always Giancarlo your updates are inspirational... great mountain photography soon you will be dispensing with the Krabs and chain and starting off with a top rope then free-climbing using bolts or placing your own protection

Oh by the way your chillies are looking great

Essegi · May 29, 2017

New entry:

Good for next year.

Avenir

Serrano

At last setting pods.

Devv said:
Well Giancarlo, I see you graduated from hiking to rock climbing Glad you're having fun and going about it correctly; having instructors to teach as you go.

Plants are looking stellar; and the scenery, is simply magnificent!

Thanks, peppers appreciate good weather now!
Teachers and colleagues are really nice guys, it's rare to find such a good group.
Yesterday there was just a walk and i brought again chili, people was happy.

Trident chilli said:
As always Giancarlo your updates are inspirational... great mountain photography soon you will be dispensing with the Krabs and chain and starting off with a top rope then free-climbing using bolts or placing your own protection

Oh by the way your chillies are looking great

Thanks, that's the plan, maybe next year... Required for some peaks i really want to reach.

In the meantime there are at least 3 or 4 ferrate that are a must.

Devv · May 29, 2017

Hi Giancarlo,

I would very much appreciate your chili recipe. I have one a gal gave me that placed well in the Texas Women's Chili competition, and it's a good recipe. But I'm always on the hunt for a better recipe

Ozzy2001 · May 29, 2017

Essegi said:
Thnaks!

Not much progress here... Since i put all on ground weather has been cold and rainy... I hope on next week things change.

Chinense then annuum + Lupin...
Something is making all that holes in the leaves... Not much growth that month.

First one is a primo orange that is setting some pods, other chinense or annuum stil have to. Others are CAP 363. They aren't setting much pods.

On the other hand hiking has been more interesting...

First, a travel to cima Palon:

Even if those mountains aren't that high (cima Palon is 2239m) they are really beautiful.

Here some memorial shelves:

After the hike a well deserverd sandwich with lard and some beer:

Then i took a trip to Sorapis lake... There was more snow than i thought.
Mountain scenery is great in those places.

Ok, probably the lake is cooler on summer that has an unreal blue colour, still that place is magic. The mountain on background is called "Dito di Dio" (Finger of God).

The lake itself is surrounded by mountains and sometimes i've heard the term Sorapis circus.

From left, to right:

Here some scenery during the walk:

That is so beautiful! Absolutely amazing

PaulG · May 30, 2017

Great climbing images, Giancarlo - very beautiful place
you get to play in!

Your grow is proceeding nicely - pods on the way! Good
luck getting into the meat of the season, my friend!

Essegi · May 30, 2017

Color on 7pod primo orange!

Devv said:
Hi Giancarlo,

I would very much appreciate your chili recipe. I have one a gal gave me that placed well in the Texas Women's Chili competition, and it's a good recipe. But I'm always on the hunt for a better recipe

Thanks, but i am pretty sure that it's me that will learn if we speak about chili recipe. You know, here chili is a known thing but still exotic and you don't eat it everyday (like could be pasta or pizza)... So for many it's a rare dish and for others even something new, add a good hike and then of course it tastes good. :rofl:

I remember on chili TD that guys grinded their meat with desired parts and thickness, it's much beyond my capabilities.
I believe that this is a bit similar to a middle between true chili and ragù for pasta with a touch of gulash...
Btw that's the recipe:

Ingredients:

2kg mixed pork-beef grinded meat
1,25kn beans (dry weight)
1kg scarce of red onions
1kg scarce of sweet peppers (i like to mix red and yellow)
1kg of peeled plum tomatoes
garlic, 1 head
celery, a couple of stalks
4 big carrots
broth, 0,5 L
cumin seeds
cilantro seeds
sweet paprika
turmeric
black pepper
white wine
hot pepper
oil to pan fry

[SIZE=11pt]Procedure:[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]make stock broth[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]dice onion, carrot, celery, garlic, sweet peppers, hot pepper, break cilantro and cumin seeds[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]pan fry onion then after some minutes add black pepper, celery and carrot. When it's cooked enough we can put some broth till union with meat.[/SIZE]
on another pan, pan fry garlic, cilantro, cumin, hot pepper and then after a minute add meat, sear everywhere, add turmeric and paprika, then sprinkle with wine
add vegetables to meat, add tomato. Cook for 10 minutes then add sweet pepper
Cook slowly for about 1 hour and half or more, stir to avoid sticking to the pan., add broth when needed. Add salt and wash beans.
Add beans, cook another half of hour, regulate salt.

Ozzy2001 said:
That is so beautiful! Absolutely amazing

Many thanks!

PaulG said:
Great climbing images, Giancarlo - very beautiful place
you get to play in!

Your grow is proceeding nicely - pods on the way! Good
luck getting into the meat of the season, my friend!

Thanks you too Paul!
Time now to get some hate for cooking too hot dishes! :rofl:

PaulG · May 30, 2017

Essegi said:
Time now to get some hate for cooking too hot dishes!

That's the spirit, Giancarlo!

Make a few enemies :lol:

Devv · May 30, 2017

Thanks for the recipe!

Below is the original recipe, and what we make below that. Mary used store bought seasoning in her recipe. We improvised some

Ladie's State Chili Recipe 2014-semi finals
1 tablespoon cowtown light
3 tablespoons medium hatch
3 tablespoons Dixon
1 tablespoon onion granules
1 tablespoon paprika
3 teaspoons beef granules
Season meat balls with season salt. Boil in beef and or chicken broth. Add fresh pepper.
Boil for 45 minutes. Add 1 can of chicken and beef broth and 8 oz can of tomato sauce.

Use remainder of chili power
Add 1 tablespoon garlic
1 tablespoon cumin
Add 2nd dump when boil 5-6 bubbles
1/4 teaspoon cayenne

####################################################

So let me back up, she states to make meatballs. This is because she has a problem with the meat just dissolving.

So what we did different because LB was like "I'm not buying pepper powders when you have a shoebox full"

We doubled the recipe, LB took out 2.5 lb of chopped meat

Instead----2 table spoons Jal powder, 2 tablespoons of thai-cayenne mix----mostly Cayenne

2 fresh medium onion (we did double the recipe)
1 tablespoon paprika
1/2 cube of beef bulion

Season meat balls with season salt. Boil in beef and or chicken broth. Add fresh pepper. We added 16oz. of both chicken and beef broth.
Boil for 45 minutes. Add 16oz. of store bought tomato sauce.

2 tablespoons of finely chopped garlic (remember we doubled the recipe)
1 tablespoon cumin We added just 1 tablespoon, even though we doubled the recipe, strong stuff it is.

We also committed the cardinal sin for making Tejas Chili. :shh:

We add red kidney beans to the mix (drained if in a can)

If the meatballs are still intact break them up at serving time, or close to it.

stickman · May 31, 2017

Thanks for the recipes guys... They look like sime excellent dishes to make when it's cold outside. [emoji14]

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OCD Chilehead · May 31, 2017

+1 on post 99

I'll have to give them both a try. I love good chili.