Most people know Hatch, New Mexico for the chile. But the valley has been growing sweet, farm-fresh onions just as long, and they are a bigger part of this story than most people realize.
A fresh load of Hatch onions had just arrived at the plant when Randy filmed this update. Sweet, firm, and straight out of the field. He wanted to show people what was coming in and share a little bit about where these onions actually come from.
Hatch actually produces more onions than chile. It is one of those facts that surprises people, but it makes sense once you understand the valley. The same soil and the same growing conditions that make Hatch chile what it is do the same thing for the onions.
Where These Onions Come From
The onions come from Scotty, the same farmer who grows the chile. Fresh Chile Company buys what the standard grocery market will not take, bulbs that are a little too big or a little too small for the commercial size spec. Not damaged. Not inferior. Just the wrong size for a chain store shelf.
Those are the ones that go into the salsa. And those are the ones available fresh every season while they last.
What Makes Them Worth Seeking Out
Randy described them simply: as good as any onion you will find. Sweet without being sharp. Ripe and ready. The high desert conditions in Hatch, the long sunny days and cool nights, bring out a natural sweetness that is hard to get anywhere else.
They go into Papa's Salsa. They go into several other products in the lineup. The flavor in those jars is not just the chile.
A Father's Day Lunch
Randy's dad was coming over the next day. Ninety-six years old, maybe ninety-seven. He asked for red enchiladas or fried chicken, and boiled onions on the side.
So Randy grabbed a few of the oversized ones and threw them on the grill. No recipe involved. Just a Father's Day lunch built around fresh onions from the same fields that have been feeding this valley for generations.
Chile Season Is Not Far Behind
The onion harvest is a signal. When the onions come out of the ground, the chile is close. If you have been watching for Hatch green chile season to open up, it is getting there.
Fresh Hatch onions are available to pre-order now and ship directly from the farm while they last.
Pre-Order Fresh Hatch Onions