scotch bonnet peppers in the suburbs

I live in the western suburbs and have been having a rough time finding scotch bonnet peppers. Anyone know where I can get them? Thanks!

Do you live close to a Whole Foods Market? Could possibly give them a ring and ask.

When I first moved to California in the late 90s, I went to a market there and bought the prettiest little round peppers for an "all out" dinner salad I was making. The assortment of Mexican food items was so new to me. I had never seen such interesting peppers, so I picked out some yellow ones and some orange ones. When I returned home and began slicing them, I started coughing and wheezing, and my throat was on fire!! Being the dense person that I apparently am, I slowly caught on to the fact that my cute little peppers were the culprit. Hello, scotch bonnet...didn't make it into the salad. I was terrified what it might do to me if I actually consumed it Evil peppers!

Good luck with your search.

It's not in the suburbs, but may be accessible for you, depending on where in the western burbs you are. If you come down on I-55, the International Market immediately south of the Pulaski exit sells Scotch Bonnets under the name Jamaican Red or something like that. I was there today and saw them in varying degrees of ripeness (from green to yellow to orange to red).

Scotch bonnets are first cousins of habaneros. While authentic scotch bonnets are difficult to find, habaneros, which are readily available, provide the same level of heat and are perfect substitutes, especially for Jamaican recipes.

Westbrook Market.

I love Westbrook Market in Westmont but they have habaneros only, I just called to confirm that they do not carry scotch bonnets. I'd try calling Brookhaven Market in Darien to find out. A little closer to the city is the Berwyn Fruit Market. They usually carry habaneros as well and may have scotch bonnets.

Both Westbrook in Westmont and Brookhaven in Darien - couple miles south of Westbrook - have great selections of ethnic food and supplies.
Both - and Whole Foods at 63rd and Route 83 - have habaneros. Haven't seen Scotch Bonnets anywhere.

Funny experience at WF in Naperville- I had a recipe calling for a habanero, so I was picking out a couple at WF and a young produce clerk turned to me and said, very politely, "Sir, do you know what you've got there?" I held up my bag with two in it and said "I figure this is probably a lifetime supply!"

He laughed and said "Enjoy them."

Thanks for the suggestions, I have seen some places that carry Jamaican Red peppers. Wasn't sure what the difference is between those and scotch bonnets though. It's funny how the opinions differ on Habaneros vs. Scortch Bonnets. Some say they're interchangeable and other's say there's marked differences. I appreciate everyone's input!

You know, that's a good question. Some websites say they're different peppers. Some websites use the terms interchangeably (as in: "Jamaican Red (Scotch Bonnet)". To add to the confusion, there seems to be a Jamaican Red Scotch Bonnet, as well. I don't know hot they compare in flavor. All I know is that whatever is sold as "Jamaican Red" at the International Market is not a habanero.

On this website, for instance, "Jamaican red" is filed under "The Scotch Bonnets."