West Dean Gardens are situated in the South of England, 6 miles from the historic city of Chichester. It is worth the trip just to see the beauty of the 6,000-acre estate. The Gardens organise several events every year, undoubtedly the most famous is the chilli fiesta, a cult event which is now in its 15th year.
What to Expect at the Chilli Fiesta:
People come from all over to see the permanent display of over 280 kind of Chillies plants grown in beautiful Victorian glass houses. So many plants make for a dazzling display of shapes and colors.
The chilli festival or Chilli fiesta to give it its real name is also a fun day out. The gardens fill up with a myriad of exhibitors offering every thing chilli related. Food of course: sizzling snacks such a hot sausages, chilli sauces, chutneys and jellies but also more unusual products such as chilli ice cream, chilli chocolate and even chilli fruit juices and beers.
Needing less to say that after a few tastings your taste-buds are blown to smitten. to add to the joviality, there are Latin rhythms, salsa dancing. There is also a paraphernalia of other things to see, all sorts of objects in chilli shape from bracelets to hats and shoes, clocks and apron and much more.
Going around the festival is truly informative, there are guided tours of the walled gardens, chilli growing demonstrations, short seminars where you learn that the hottest chilli in the world is not grown in India or even in the Caribbean but in.......Dorset (England).
Festival dates:
8 & 9 August 2009
Fees & How to Get There:The entrance fee is only 7.25 GBP for adults, or about $15.00 and 3.25 GBP for children, or $7.50. There is a slight discount for those over 60.
Address:
- West Dean Gardens
- West Dean, CHICHESTER, West Sussex, PO18 0QZ
- web site: http://www.westdean.org.uk
Travel there:
- On the A286 mid-way between Chichester and Midhurst.
- No 60 bus runs past entrance from Chichester or Midhurst at half hourly intervals.
- Parking : free
Accessible by Public Transport : 6 miles from Chichester station
Chilli, Sweet Aubergine and Mango Chutney Recipe:
- 2 large green mangoes
- 2 large aubergines
- 1 large piece fresh root ginger 8-10 cm
- 2 red chilies
- 2-3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp sea salt
- 500 ml distilled malt vinegar
- 1 kg unrefined demerara sugar
Directions:
- Prepare the fruits and vegetables,
- Peel the mangoes and cut the flesh away from the stone.
- Chop the mango and aubergines into 2.5 cm chunks.
- Peel the ginger.
- De-seed the chilies then finely chop them together with the garlic.
- Place all the ingredients together in a preserving or very large pan and bring slowly to the boil.
- Simmer for 45-60 minutes until well reduced but still moist.
- Pour into warm jars, seal.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
