How do I know when they are ripe?!?

[feldon30]

I let me Jalapeños get ripe. I cut out the core and stuffed with cream cheese, then I dipped in batter and deep fried. I expected a nice somewhat mild stuffed jalapeño like you can get just about any restaurant these days.

They were extremely picante!! It took mouthfuls of cream cheese and a glass of milk to put the fire out. So you're saying they would have been even hotter when they were green?!