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What is Italian sweet pepper used for?

Italian sweet peppers, also known as bell peppers, are a popular vegetable used in many dishes around the world. Their sweet, mild taste makes them extremely versatile. Read on to learn more about the different uses of Italian sweet peppers.

What Are Italian Sweet Peppers?

Italian sweet peppers (Capsicum annuum) are a cultivar of bell peppers that originated in Italy. They are large, blocky peppers that come in several colors including green, red, yellow, orange, and sometimes purple or brown. The green ones are unripe peppers that turn colors as they fully ripen.

Compared to other pepper varieties, Italian sweet peppers are considered very sweet with only mild heat or spice. They have a crisp texture and juicy flesh. Their skins are also tender enough to be eaten. The flavor is fresh, slightly grassy or earthy, and versatile for cooking.

In Italy, these peppers are called “peperone” and are popular for stuffing, roasting, and grilling. Some common Italian sweet pepper cultivars include Corno di Toro, Cornetto, and Quadratto d’Asti.

Nutrition

Italian sweet peppers are low in calories and rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, and antioxidants. One medium raw pepper (about 150g) contains approximately:

  • 41 calories
  • 127mg vitamin C (212% DV)
  • 2052IU vitamin A (41% DV)
  • 3g fiber
  • 7g carbohydrates
  • 2g protein

They also provide vitamin B6, potassium, folic acid, and phytonutrients such as capsanthin, violaxanthin, and lutein. The red peppers contain the highest concentration of nutrients.

Common Uses

Italian sweet peppers are extremely versatile vegetables. Here are some of their most popular uses:

Cooking

Sweet peppers are used in many cooked dishes including:

  • Stir fries
  • Fajitas
  • Pasta sauces
  • Pizza
  • Omelets
  • Quesadillas
  • Casseroles
  • Soups and stews
  • Roasted vegetable medleys

Their sweet flavor balances spicy or acidic ingredients. They add moisture, texture, color, and nutrients to any dish.

Grilling

Sweet peppers hold their shape well when grilled. Simply coat sliced or whole peppers with olive oil and grill 2-4 minutes per side over medium-high heat until charred. Enjoy grilled peppers on sandwiches, salads, pasta, or dip them in hummus.

Stuffing

Italian sweet peppers are often stuffed with a mixture of meat, rice, cheese, and/or vegetables. Some popular stuffing ingredients include:

  • Ground meat like beef, pork, or sausage
  • Rice or couscous
  • Onion and garlic
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Herbs like parsley, basil, or oregano
  • Bread crumbs or cheese

Cut off the top stem, remove seeds and ribs, stuff with desired filling, and bake until tender.

Salads

Thinly sliced or diced sweet peppers add crunch, color, and fresh flavor to salads such as:

  • Garden salads
  • Pasta salads
  • Potato salads
  • Fruit salads
  • Greek salads
  • Antipasto

They pair well with lettuces, tomatoes, olives, cheeses, grains, beans, and dressings like vinaigrettes.

Sautéing and Stir-Frying

Sweet peppers maintain their crispness when quickly cooked. Sauté or stir-fry sliced peppers with onions, garlic, meats, tofu, or other veggies. Use them to top pizza, omelets, sandwiches, tacos, or rice bowls.

Roasting

Roasted sweet peppers become incredibly sweet and tender. To roast them:

  1. Cut peppers into quarters, remove stems and seeds.
  2. Place skin-side up on a baking sheet.
  3. Broil 10-15 minutes until skins blister.
  4. Put peppers in a bowl, cover, and let steam 10 minutes.
  5. Peel off skins.

Enjoy roasted peppers chopped into sandwiches, pasta, pizza, dips, or sauce. Or store them in olive oil in the fridge.

Pickling

Italian sweet peppers can be pickled alone or as part of a giardiniera mix. Pickled peppers last several months refrigerated. They make great snacks, sandwich toppings, or additions to antipasto platters.

Freezing

To freeze peppers for later use:

  1. Slice or dice peppers, removing seeds and ribs.
  2. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze solid.
  3. Transfer to freezer bags or containers.

Frozen peppers are great to have on hand for cooking into any dish. Let thaw before using.

Juicing

Sweet peppers add nutrition but not much flavor when juiced. Pair them with tastier fruits and veggies like carrots, apples, and greens.

Eating Raw

Enjoy Italian sweet pepper rings or strips with dips like hummus, baba ghanoush, ranch dressing, or muhammara. The crunchy peppers pair nicely with the creamy dips.

Uses Around the World

Italian sweet peppers are used in cuisines across the globe. Here are some examples:

  • Middle Eastern – Stuffed peppers, hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh
  • Mexican – Fajitas, tacos al pastor, chiles rellenos
  • Spanish – Romesco sauce, pisto, gazpacho
  • Italian – Caponata, peperonata, penne arrabbiata
  • Indian – Curries, masala
  • Thai – Stir fries, curries
  • Chinese – Stir fries, Buddha’s delight

Selecting Sweet Peppers

Look for Italian sweet peppers that:

  • Feel firm and heavy for their size
  • Have taut, smooth, shiny skin
  • Are free of soft or damp spots
  • Have vibrant, deep colors
  • Have fresh green stems

Avoid peppers with wrinkled skin, bruises, or signs of mold.

Storing Peppers

To keep sweet peppers fresh longer:

  • Store unwashed peppers in the fridge up to 5 days
  • Wrap cut peppers tightly and use within 2-3 days
  • Store frozen diced peppers up to 10-12 months
  • Keep pickled peppers refrigerated for 4-6 months

Conclusion

Italian sweet peppers are an incredibly versatile vegetable. Their sweet, mild taste allows them to be used in countless cooked dishes, from stir fries to casseroles. They also add great flavor and nutrition to raw preparations like salads, antipasto, and dips. Select firm, vibrantly colored peppers and store properly to enjoy their full flavor and nutritional benefits.