Q: I have a quick question about determining if Tabasco peppers are ripe, when they can be picked and if they need to be red to eat. What I want to know is if they are good for pickling and general eating when they are green, or yellow or if they are best if they are red.

A: Best is a relative term ……..but if you want them to be hot, pick when red. All peppers turn red eventually – even the green bell peppers sold for salads.