Do you think of chili as a warm- or cold-weather food?

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In general, I mean.

[Tdarcos]

In general, I mean.

In my case, it's in commander.

I'd never consider chili in the summer except as a topping on a 7-11 Big Bite.

In winter, it's wonderful, as Reo Speedwagon sang, "You're a candle in the window on a cold, dark, winter's night."

Chili goes down as a top comfort food, like macaroni and cheese, or meatloaf, or reheated fried chicken. I'd add ramen except I had to exclude it because of the high salt content of the flavor packets.

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So, to provide closure here (if anyone can figure out which posts are mine and which aren't, in this color scheme):

I've asked this, now, of dozens of people, and out of all the folks I have asked, exactly 100% have said "cold-weather". This is absolutely shocking to me, and shows that there is a major disconnect between me and the rest of the universe.

However, if I may be allowed to explain myself:

Chili is a food BORNE from the sweltering heat of the southwest. That's why it exists. Cowboys out on the range, under that unforgiving desert sun, putting meat and chiles in a pot, because that's what was available, and because, as we know from all the other hot-temperatue cultures that eat spicy food, the sweat provided a natural cooling effect.

I mean. It's chili. It's made from chiles. Which exist where it's hot. And was originally invented and eaten by people who lived where it was hot.

I just naturally associated it with hot weather, so in the dog days here in Tennessee, when I suggest CHILI as our evening meal, I'm met with unrelenting scorn, as if that was the most ridiculous thing I had ever said.

But I stand by it, even if nobody else does. Chili is wonderful at all times, but I'll always consider it a hot-weather dish. Thank you.

[ChainGangGuy]

I would like to submit a vote of WARM WEATHER on this one.

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Did I convince you, or would that have been your vote? If so, you're the only other person in the universe. Good man.

[ChainGangGuy]

Growing up, there was chili year-round in the Hamilton household.

[AArdvark]

Doesn't it get cold at night in the Southwest? Desert conditions and all that? Eat that up at dark time to keep warm. There's a Blazing Saddles scene in my head right now....


THE
TOO CLOSE TO
THE FIRE
AARDVARK

[ChainGangGuy]

Chili makes for a wonderful eat-up during the Dark Time, 'Vark. We had such a rousing success for the Great Burger War and BWII, maybe we should have a Chili War (unless we already did during this forum's rich rich history).

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I would do a Chili War in a second, if only because it would give me an excuse to make it, without hearing "in THIS weather!??!"