Just wanted to thank those who posted because this thread finally solved a mystery for me. I googled Hatch chiles and learned about the whole NM chile phenomenon.
When we were in NM in early fall 2011, while grocery shopping at Walmart, I couldn't figure out the stacks of BIG boxes containing chiles in the veggie dept. I mean, who can use that much of any vegetable at once? Now I've learned people get them roasted to prep and freeze for the year's supply.
We are headed back to spend two weeks+ in N. NM in early October. Can't wait. Looking forward to some good eats.