Dried hot peppers are, simply put, hot peppers that have been dried to preserve the vegetable for off season use. In some cases the peppers are first roasted or smoked and then dried. The texture and flavor undergo dramatic changes, and dry peppers must be handled very differently than fresh ones. To use, dry chiles must be ground or chopped, boiled or soaked. Dry chiles are a staple in Mexican cuisine, and are an integral part of many Caribbean, African and Mediterranean dishes.