Big Chili Peppers of Beiji

Big Chili Peppers of Beiji

　　Zixing Specialty — Big Chili Peppers of Beiji

During summer and autumn, the upland fields around Beiji Township are covered with rows of chili plants as tall as umbrellas, boasting a high fruit-setting rate. Their fruits come in various shapes: some are large, round, and plump, resembling lanterns and thus called "lantern chilies"; others are long and pointed, with the longest reaching up to 30 centimeters and the heaviest weighing up to 100 grams, resembling bull horns — hence named "bull horn chilies." Along the streets of Xingning Town, large loads of these chilies are displayed, their green ones gleaming and red ones shining, truly delightful to the eye.

　　Lantern chilies have thick, crisp flesh that is spicy with a hint of sweetness, offering a delicious flavor. If you remove the seeds, stuff them with meat filling, then deep-fry them in oil and drizzle with a seasoning made of scallions, MSG, soy sauce, and starch, their color, aroma, and taste become even more appealing, often making them a highlight dish at banquets. Bull horn chilies are spicy with a slight sweetness, making them perfect for stir-frying "oil-drizzled chilies," which aid digestion and stimulate the appetite. Every visitor to Zixing will order this dish.

　　The area around Beiji Township has a long history of growing chilies and has accumulated rich experience. In recent years, over 2,000 mu of chilies are planted annually, yielding 1,000–1,500 kilograms per mu. These chilies not only meet local demand but are also sold to cities such as Chenzhou and Changsha.