Hot Pepper and Herb Mix

FOUND only in the unspoiled medieval village of Olympi, on southern Chios, this very unusual spicy mixture probably takes its name from the Italian word specie (spices). But it clearly comes from the East and has nothing to do with Italy or with the Genoese who occupied Chios for many centuries. Almost every cook makes his or her own variation, using the basic ingredients: dried hot red pepper, oregano, basil, fennel seeds and, sometimes, dried orange zest. My recipe is based on a ja