Seasonal Crafts: Make a Chili Strand

Create a colorful strand of red and green chili peppers for a unique holiday decoration. Here's how:

Traditionally made in Mexico at harvesttime, chile strands can be made with chiles from your supermarket.

• Cut a piece of fine wire about 14 inches long.
• Wrap one end of the wire tightly around a whole head of garlic.
• Carefully use a large needle to poke a hole through the base of the pepper stems and string them onto the wire starting from the bottom so that they fan out, forming a spiral.
• Twist the top of the wire into a loop for hanging, and tie on a bright red or green bow.

The strand will dry and remain colorful for months. It’s very festive and refreshingly different at the holidays!

Illustration by Margo Letourneau