We noticed a lot of people search for Cascabel Chiles on our website recently, so we're working to get some Cascabel seeds for you soon! Cascabel peppers are members of the Capsicum annuum species and are also known as Guajones, Coras, Chile Bola, and rattle chile because of the shape of the chile and the sound the seeds make when a dried chile is shaken. Typically, Cascabel is the name given to the dried version of Chile Bolas.
In the meantime, we wanted to give you some alternatives to the Cascabel Chile that you will also love:
Substitutions for Cascabel Chile Peppers:
We carry a couple amazing peppers that are also used in Mexican cooking, including the delicious Guaijillo chile or the tiny Pequin chile which are both are good for substituting Cascabel chile peppers in recipes. You could also substitute Cayenne, but with both the Pequin and Cayenne peppers as substitutes, use less of these peppers as they are quite hot.
These Pequin peppers below, are very tiny chiles that pack a lot of heat. This native plant grows wild in the Southwest U.S. and Mexico. It is affectionately known as bird pepper, because birds eat the pepper and disperse the seeds. The birds cannot feel the heat. It's also known as turkey pepper, chilipiquin and even cayenne in some places. There was time when every South Texan had a bottle of chile pequins in vinegar on the dinner table. The usual custom is to add vinegar as you go. The plants are loaded with peppers and huge, so these are a fun addition to your pepper garden. Buy Pequin Seeds »
We also love the Chocolate Poblano pepper, also known as the Mulato Isleño Chile for many Mexican recipes, as the dried Mulato is an essential ingredient in authentic mole sauce. The Mulato Isleño is slightly larger and sweeter than the Poblano. It matures to a rich chocolate brown. Mulatos can be used in both the immature and mature stage, and uses include making rellenos, salsa, roasting, and drying.
You can also check out the beautiful Mirasol chile, the medium heat in this pepper is direct and intense, yet very flavorful. This red to dark red pepper has thin skin and can vary greatly in appearance. Conical pods grow upright 4”- 5“ long and 1/2” to almost 2“ wide on 18”-24“ tall plants. It has a unique spicy flavor that is compared to berries and other fruit. The name Mirasol means "looking at the sun" in Spanish, which describes the way these peppers grow on the plant. They are one of the main chiles used in traditional mole sauces and very common in Peruvian cooking.
We will keep you updated on Facebook and here in our blog when we are able to offer Cascabel seeds, but in the meantime, we do carry lots of great chiles to try that are great compliments or substitutes. Happy growing and cooking!