The NuMex Joe E. Parker Pepper is a variety of pepper named after the New Mexican University student who helped select the peppers.
Scoville Heat Units: 1,500-3,000 SHU
This New Mexico variety was named after Mr. Joe E. Parker, a graduate of NMSU’s College of Agriculture and Home Economics, who helped to evaluate this selection of chilies.
It originally came from one plant selected from a field of open-pollinated “New Mexico 6-4” peppers. The variety was released for garden production in 1990 and is recommended for growth in southern New Mexico.
The chilies grow to about 8 inches in length and 1.8 inches in width, and can be used either in their green or red stage.
Although similar to the New Mexico 6-4 in flavor and heat, green color, and size, it is generally preferable to the New Mexico 6-4 because of its higher chile yield, its thicker walls, and its ability to continue to produce red chiles after the initial green fruit harvest.
The NuMex Joe E. Parker can be a great chili for canning whole, and is excellent for chiles rellenos, or for grilling or roasting, due to its thicker walls.
Learn more about Hatch Chile varieties below.
Grant Smith says
I really like Joe E Parker peppers, and grow them every year in Western Australia.
Along with Zia pueblo and Chimayo peppers.
Very easy to grow and versatile to use
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Wonderful! Great peppers, I agree. Thanks, Grant.
Gerald Duryee says
The Joe Parker chile is a bit more consistent in heat value than the Big Jim. We used to like Big Jim for rellenos but the inconsistencies resulted in our change to Joe Parker.
Deb Fischer says
Which pepper is hotter big jim or parker? Also, is there a Barker pepper
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Deb, they're both pretty big peppers, though the Big Jim typically measures larger at 10-12 inches in length.