aji wings Archives - For the Wing

Aji amarillo is an orange-colored pepper from Peru. I haven’t been able to find it in the US in pepper-form, but you can find a paste made from pureed aji peppers in some foreign food markets. Aji amarillo rates between 35,000 and 50,000 on the Scoville scale, meaning it’s about as hot as Tabasco sauce. It has a nice fruity flavor that reminds me a bit of habanero, but without the scorching heat. I encountered aji amarillo often in dishes throughout Peru when I lived there long, long ago. But I never had wings. Well, now I have and they are fantastic!

Aji Pepper Flavor

Since I love chicken wings, I decided to cook up a batch and instead of saucing them with just a traditional Buffalo sauce, I made a variation that adds aji amarillo paste. The end result was just a bit spicy, with a fantastic fruity pepper flavor. For me, it’s important that wings taste good and not just bring the heat. I don’t seek out the hottest sauces. But I do seek out the tastiest. That’s why my wing journey will never end. There are always new flavors to discover. Like aji amarillo!

Inca’s Food Aji Amarillo Paste – Hot Yellow Pepper…

Pack of 7.5 ounces
Specialty from Peru

Kick It Up More!

These were fantastic wings, and definitely a nice twist on the usual. If you like your wings to be a bit spicier, just add more of the aji amarillo paste. Since it’s not overwhelmingly hot you don’t have to worry about a-little-goes-a-long-ways. You can add quite a bit and still get great flavor without burning the roof of your mouth.

Viva Peru

For me, the perfect beverage to go with these wings is a super-cold glass of Inca Kola. Years after living in Peru, this is easily still my favorite soda of all time. I seek it out wherever I can find it. Or I order it only. It’s like a cross between bubble gum and Mountain Dew. Yeah, might sound odd but it’s super crazy tasty.