From cheesecake to cheesesteaks, New Mexico’s iconic ingredient is showing up in unexpected ways. NOTHING SPICES UP LIFE IN THE Land of Enchantment like New Mexico green chile, a treasured and storied part of our agricultural heritage for centuries. Fragrant and fleshy, smoky and sweet, earthy and ethereal, the piquant pepper’s appeal lies both in its flavor and its versatility. Every harvest season, we begin another annual cycle: roast it, chop it, freeze it, stir it into sauces and stews, and pile it on our cheeseburgers … and whatever else.