I have a crop of about 20 of these, around 10" long and brown. I tasted one and it is sweet with no heat much as expected. I have read these are good in chili con carne and provide a smokey flavor. That sounds great but eating them fresh provided a slightly earthy sweet taste, no smokiness at all. Are they normally smoked to preserve them? Or does drying them change their flavor? I have to either freeze them or dry them, normally my default is to freeze if I can't use them fresh as that doesn't preclude drying them later. Any recommendations most appreciated, I do not have a smoker!