As excited as I get to try new Chile varieties, I always go back to the good old Cayenne and Jalapeno peppers for certain advantages.
The Cayenne family of Hot Peppers are just ideal for drying. Some are as easy as putting on a paper plate in a sunny windowsil. I like to string them up with a needle and thread and hang in a sunny location. They just look so cool.
My favorite way to use the Cayennes is to de-seed them and cut into 1/2" peices. Let dry. Then I slightly roast them in the Broiler...just until they start to darken. Man, what a great, nutty and roasted flavor. Love to toss them into soups, Chili, spaghetti, on Pizza, etc.
The Jalapeno is just perfect for freezing. The thick flesh freezes so well. Also, for stuffing they can't be beat. I like to stuff them with a mix of Philadelphia cream cheese and real bacon bits. Or with Sharp Cheese, Pepperoni (slim Jims will do) and thin slivers of Garlic and Onion. Getting hungry just describing them.
I found some cool Chile varieties in Hawaii, the Dominican Reupblic and St. Thomas this year. But I always gravitate back to the good ole' basics.
35 years....that's longer than my marriage lasted....what a Romance...