by Cheryl Rofer
Barack Obama will visit Española, New Mexico, today.
Green chile harvest is almost done, and the chiles at the farmers' market are now a mixture of red and green. We used to roast them, a few at a time, on the barbecue grill or even over the gas stove, but now they have these basket propane roasters, and you can buy the chile ready to pull the skins off. You'd better wear rubber gloves if you haven't done this before. There does seem to be a desensitization, although sometimes my hands still sting. And DON'T rub your eyes, even for an hour or so after you wash your hands. Don't. Believe me.
I made a very nice green chile stew yesterday, which reminded me that candidates have perhaps their most demanding gustatory test in Northern New Mexico. I'm looking forward to Barack savoring a bowl of green chile, or perhaps holding up a carne adovada burrito as he bites into it. Maybe, even as I'm posting, he's enjoying a breakfast burrito, although he might be better off to wait until he gets to Española. Presumably he's coming from Albuquerque, and the best breakfast burritos I've had lately were in Santa Fe and north.
I'm sure our local media will be ready to capture the moment.
(Photos from New Mexico Chile and an unlinkable page that gave up its photo anyway.