{{distinguish|text=Ristar}}{{short description|Hanging array of chiles or vegetables for drying}}{{expand Spanish|topic=cult}}
thumb|Chile ristras hanging to drythumb|right|200px|Ristras of jalapeños, other chili peppers, and garlic at a market in Montreal
A '''ristra''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|r|iː|s|t|r|aː}}), also known as a sarta, is an arrangement of drying chile pepper pods, garlic bulbs, or other vegetables for later consumption. In addition to its practical use, the ristra has come to be a trademark of decorative design in the state of New Mexico as well as southern Arizona. Typically, large chiles such as New Mexico chiles and Anaheim peppers are used, although any kind of chile may be used. Chile de arbol, also known as chile pequin in New Mexico, is another common chile variety used in ristra making, particularly when making shapes such as wreaths, hearts, and crosses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hatch Red Chile Ristras |url=https://www.farmerschilemarket.com/chile-ristras/ |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=Farmers Chile Market |language=en-US}}</ref>
Garlic can also be arranged into a ristra for drying and curing after the bulbs have matured and the leaves have died away.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120415122446/http://aces.nmsu.edu/news/1999/091499_GARLIC.html Garlic] 1999</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Chile Ristras|url=https://www.nps.gov/petr/learn/historyculture/chile.htm|website=National Park Service|date=24 February 2015}}</ref>
Ristras are commonly used for decoration and "are said to bring health and good luck."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.visitalbuquerque.org/about-abq/culture-heritage/holiday-traditions/ristras/|title=Ristras|website=Visit Albuquerque|language=en}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Food}} *List of dried foods *Sausage links
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Dried foods Category:Chili peppers Category:Food and drink decorations Category:Cuisine of New Mexico Category:Capsicum