We're Living in a Land of Peppers

One of the first things you notice when you arrive in Xinjiang is the food. Before coming to China I had read about the type of food in this region but nothing prepared me for the peppers. Every dish (whether for dinner, lunch or breakfast) is full of peppers. Red, yellow, green - they are all there. Some people love the taste but my mouth stays on fire for an hour after each meal.

Peppers are primarily used for spice (they pile on those seeds) but can also be made into their own dish. I have never eaten so many peppers in my life as I have eaten these past few weeks. Once winter rolls around the price for peppers rises considerably. So naturally, everyone (yes, everyone) buys as many as they can and hangs them out to dry out so they can eat them in the winter. It kind of gives off the winter holiday feel as red peppers are draped over trees, between trees, across windows and even on the ground - everywhere.