For almost 19 years, this spicy ingredient to savory dishes has been sold annually by Got Chili owner Mario Cruz.
For almost 19 years, this spicy ingredient to savory dishes has been sold annually by Got Chili owner Mario Cruz. “It’s hard to say, but I sell about 6,000 pounds during the season,” said Cruz, who also sells them frozen throughout the year.
“I know many people in the Hispanic community here that look forward to August and September because it’s the Hatch green chili season. We start asking each other if the chili man is here on Route 66,” said Rosa Felix of Flagstaff. “Many of us put in our requests for the next year. Mario has become a very important part of the culture and our cuisine. It’s almost become a seasonal holiday for us.”
Working alongside Cruz is his 16-year-old grandson, Mario. Along with green chilies, Cruz also sells dried ground red chili powder, chili pods and jars of chiltepins year-round. He also sells to local restaurants. FBN
By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN
Got Chili can be reached at 928-853-8693.
Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: Mario Cruz and his grandson roast Hatch green chilis for their Flagstaff customers. Cruz says they sell about 6,000 pounds during the season.
