The term “verde” is a Spanish, Italian, and Latin American word that commonly describes the green color of a food ingredient. It is often used in the names of sauces, condiments, and dishes that have a green hue.
Examples of “Verde” in Food:
- Mole verde: A traditional Mexican sauce made with tomatillos, green chiles, and herbs, giving it a vibrant green color.
- Salsa verde: An Italian sauce made with fresh herbs, such as parsley, basil, and oregano, blended with olive oil and vinegar, resulting in a bright green sauce.
- Oliverde: An Italian term for “green olive,” referring to olives that have been cured while still unripe, preserving their green color.
- Chile verde: A Mexican stew made with pork or chicken simmered in a green sauce made from tomatillos, green chiles, and spices.
- Spicy verde: A general term for any green sauce or condiment that has a spicy flavor, often due to the inclusion of green chiles or other spicy ingredients.
Additional Information:
- The word “verde” is derived from the Latin word “viridis,” which also means “green.”
- In the context of food, “verde” typically refers to a fresh, vibrant green color, rather than a dull or muted green.
- “Verde” can also be used to describe the green color of certain fruits and vegetables, such as green apples, green beans, and avocados.
Is Chile Verde Spicy?
Despite being a stew that is frequently made with jalapeño, Hatch, and poblano peppers, chile verde is considered MILD because the peppers’ heat is greatly reduced during the low-and-slow cooking process, which also tenderizes the meat and eliminates the tomatillos’ bitterness.
The hot substance that gives chili peppers their strong, fiery flavors, capsaicin, is actually thought to be thermostable, which means that heat won’t cause it to dissolve or break down. Capsaicin cannot be broken down by sautéing, stirring-frying, microwaving, or cooking chiles for less than an hour.
However, the capsaicin molecule does seem to break down under certain conditions, such as extremely high temperatures (some have complained of their spicy food turning out mellow from the instant pot pressure cooker), if exposed to excessive steam, or long cooking times. Food scientists are still studying and learning about how cooking affects capsaicin. Research is ongoing!
If you love the taste of chile verde and are interested in creating this dish at home, I have some important tips to share with you.
Making a batch of chile verde is very simple if you prepare the salsa verde base recipe in advance. When fresh Hatch chile peppers are in season, I make a big batch or two of salsa verde and just freeze it to use whenever I need it.
To add a nice smoky depth of flavor to my chile verde stew, I always broil ALL of the vegetables for my salsa verde, which is the main sauce.
If you want to make the best tasting salsa verde, and in turn the best tasting chile verde stew, then you must use authentic Hatch green chile peppers. It’s easier than ever to get fresh Hatch chiles delivered directly to your door with The Hatch Chile Store– they specialize in shipping all Hatch chile products directly to your doorstep so you can enjoy the taste of REAL Hatch chile wherever you live.
To get the salsa verde recipe I use and suggest, click the “What is Green Chile Salsa” link below!
At the conclusion of this post, I’m going to share with you my personal recipe for chile verde, so you can give it a try!
Why tomatillos aren’t just little green tomatoes (and why they’re awesome)
FAQ
What is the meaning of verde?
What does verde mean in slang?
What is the meaning of chili verde?
What is the difference between chili and chili verde?
What does Verde mean in Spanish?
Verde means green in Spanish, and when used in the context of food, it usually refers to green vegetables or herbs that are used as ingredients or garnishes in various dishes. For example, a salsa verde typically includes fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley along with green peppers and tomatillos.
What does salsa verde mean in Spanish?
Any lover of Mexican cuisine has seen and most likely eaten salsa verde. And anyone with even an inkling of the Spanish language can figure out that salsa verde means “green sauce” in English. But what is salsa verde, really? Why are some spicier than others?
What is salsa verde based on?
In Mexican cuisine, salsa verde is typically based on the tomatillo. These are small green vegetables that look like mini-tomatoes. Tomatillos are from the same family as tomatoes, but really they are more closely related to the gooseberry. They are prized in the culinary world for their mild tartness which plays very well with fiery flavors.
What are the health benefits of Verde?
Verde, which means green in Spanish, is all about incorporating leafy greens into your diet. And when it comes to the health benefits of verde in food, the advantages are numerous. First and foremost, leafy greens are packed with nutrients and vitamins that can do wonders for your body.