chilaca

These are dried Anaheim chiles, known in northern Mexico as chilaca.

Chiles guajillos are an important part of many salsas. These are dried Anaheim chiles, known in northern Mexico as chilaca. © Daniel Wheeler, 2009 2009

Thus, a pasilla mexicana is a chilaca chile, grown in Central Mexico, which has usually been dried either in the sun or by a commercial dehydrating method, whereas a pasilla oaxaqueña has been smoked over open wood fires in the Sierra Mixe mountains.

Warm Reading For Cool Nights: A Guide To Mexican Chiles Part 2: Dried Chiles 2003

Thus, a pasilla mexicana is a chilaca chile, grown in Central Mexico, which has usually been dried either in the sun or by a commercial dehydrating method, whereas a pasilla oaxaqueña has been smoked over open wood fires in the Sierra Mixe mountains.

Warm Reading For Cool Nights: A Guide To Mexican Chiles Part 2: Dried Chiles 2003