I thought our "hot pepper" was a failure after I just nibbled the tip, but...

[Bonobo]

when I bit into the CENTER of our new, bright red chili pepper, I spent the next 2 hours drinking milk (after googling "jalapeno pepper antidote") The stuff is nt only hot, it is TOXIC. I suspect it is why my neighboring potatoes have not been troubled by potato beetles at all so far.

Oh, BTW, if you even SUSPECT your hands have gone near fresh jalapeno peppers, don't go to the bathroom -cause its not just your mouth that will be burning! Nuff said.

[Blue Gardener]

1. I'm picking my first pepers this weekend

You don't want to rub your eye after chopping jalapenos either. Ouch. Gloves are always worn around here when handling hot peppers.

[BOSSHOG]

2. For consumption purposes

cut the peppers open and remove the seeds (they are the source of most of the heat.) The peppers make a tasty addition to dishes (without the seeds.) I find jalapeno's to be quite mild. Cayenne's set my head on fire just looking at them. We have a large crop of Jalapeno's every year for Salsa's, salads or just for dipping purposes. You can also get various types and colors of ornamental peppers which look greated potted and set on a patio.