I have 3 Thai chili plants in the garden. I grew them myself from an overripe chili pod that I planted whole in the soil. The three remaining are the hardiest seedlings that emerged from the pod.

This year, after I moved them to bigger pots they have been especially prolific in producing fruits (yes! Technically, chillies are fruits). I only cook at home about once a week. And I use maybe 6-10 chili peppers a week. The output from my garden is 5 times my consumption. What do I do with the extra chili peppers? I often share my garden produce with neighbors and friends. But even with sharing, I have more than I can use.

I am looking for recipes that use chili peppers in large quantities. Should I be drying them for storage and use during the winter? Should I pickle them into achar (if so, do you have a good recipe?)?

In a week or two I will be harvesting 20-30 cucumbers from my home garden. I am looking for recipes that use cucumbers. Liberally. The only things I use cucumbers for are cucumber raitha, italian or greek salads and cucumber-tomatoe kachumbari salad. There is also the option of slicing the cucumbers into long slivers and eating them with chili / salt.

What is your favorite cucumber recipe?

I bought some ripe mangos from the local grocery store last weekend. What is your favorite recipe that involves ripe mangoes? Entrees, desserts and all kinds of concoctions welcome.