Source SF Gate

On the short list of a network of savvy gardeners, a strawberry- shaped chile known as cherrapeño is exploding in popularity in the Bay Area.

Cherrapeño ‘Sparky’ is a hybrid, a cross between a cherry bomb and a jalapeño that has a kick like a supercharged jalapeño. It has just been released by Orsetti Seed Co. of Hollister (San Benito County). It has been grown for the past few seasons in experimental trials by the Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County (of the University of California Cooperative Extension).

It’s consistently stood out at the Master Gardeners’ annual fund-raiser, the Spring Garden Market.

For the first two seasons after the chile was introduced by the master gardeners, members of the master gardeners’ team scrambled to land batches of cherrapeño pods to make chile jam, a runaway favorite appetizer. Chile jam is a standard at public tastings hosted by the gardeners, events that draw hundreds of visitors. The fire-engine-red jam is usually served on a block of cream cheese with crackers or tortilla chips. When fresh, the chile has a sweet flavor followed by spicy heat.

Orsetti seed representatives hope to fill a niche since during the 2003- 2004 season there was a shortage of cherry-type chiles, the preferred variety for pickling, said Greg Orsetti, a vice president with the company.

Less than 1 percent of chiles that go to trials are released, Orsetti said, adding that his company this season had more 1,500 varieties of jalapeños available for one particular trial.

“It’s pretty intense,” he said. In demonstrations, researchers seek chiles “with good architecture, good cover protection (for pods that may be damaged by the sun), appearance, wall thickness, good production,” as well as other factors. Master Gardeners’ chile team members organized a letter-writing and telephone campaign directed at Johnny’s Selected Seeds of Winslow, Maine, urging the company to test the chile, and it did, although it is not being carried in the 2005 catalog.

Propagation: Because it is hybrid it won’t reproduce a like plant from harvested seeds. However, master gardeners have maintained cherrapeño plants through winters by establishing them in pots and protecting them during cold months. Before winter descends, cut the plant branches way down and remove all pods. If growing from plants, do not put into the ground until May 1, when soil temperature is compatible for hot-weather vegetables.

“I grew my cherrapeños in full sun — hardy plants produced high yield, ” said Oakland gardener Charlie Quaid, a regular at the Spring Garden Market.

Harvest: Pick chiles when they are mostly red and use within a couple of days. Do not refrigerate.

Availability: Cherrapeño plants can be purchased at the Spring Garden Market, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 2 at Prusch Park, 647 S. King Road in San Jose. Orsetti seeds are available from Osborne International Seed Co., (360) 424- 7333, and Siegers Seed Co., (800) 962-4999. “The seeds are accessible even if they aren’t in catalogs,” Orsetti said. To contact Orsetti Seeds Inc., call (831) 636-4822 or visit www.orsettiseeds.com.

How to cook: Quaid finds the firm, fleshy fruit “excellent for jams and salsas — also very good with eggs.” And he says the deep, red color is outstanding in a green salsa. “My favorite is a flame-roasted cherrapeño salsa made with tomatillos, onions, garlic, cilantro and lime juice,” Quaid said.

Resources: “Chile Head Sampler Volume 1″ is a collection of more than 30 original recipes by Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County. The 35-page guide also includes chile-growing information and tips on extending the season, such as dehydrating, marinating, smoking and freezing chiles. Copies are $6, plus $1.50 for shipping and can be ordered from Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County, P.O. Box 5502, San Jose, CA 95150.

Menlo Park writer Laramie Treviño is chairwoman of the Chile Head Sampler committee and an ex-officio chile team member with the Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County. E-mail her at home@sfchronicle.com.