These peppers are especially good when they are used in mole sauces, soups, and salads and since they come in a range of spiciness, they are easier to incorporate into dishes.
What Is A Hungarian Wax Pepper?
As the name suggests, the Hungarian wax pepper originates from Hungary and is also known as the Hungarian hot wax pepper.
These peppers can sometimes be mistaken for banana peppers as they look quite similar when they are harvested, and this confusion is not made any easier by the fact that Hungarian wax peppers are sometimes known as hot banana peppers.
However, it is important to know that these two peppers are very different with the Hungarian wax pepper being much hotter than the banana pepper which only reaches 0 to 500 units on the Scoville scale.
When Hungarian wax peppers are harvested, it is usually before they have reached full maturity which is one of the reasons why they are mistaken for banana peppers, but when they have fully ripened they have a rich red color and reach up to 6-inches long.
They are harvested when they are yellow because this is when they have the best flavor with a combination of citrus and heat. They also get more spicey as they age which is why they have been reported to have a ranged score on the Scoville scale.
What Are They Used For?
It is said that the Hungarian wax pepper is as versatile as the jalapeno, and you can even eat them raw despite their waxy rind. You can also chop them up and add them to salads, stuff them, roast them, and pickle them to just name a few.
Hungarian wax peppers have a tasty flavor that is slightly tangy but also sweet and the heat adds a nice kick to any meal you add it to. We will give you a simple run-down of some of the recipes that you can use with Hungarian wax peppers.
Pickled Hungarian Wax Peppers
Some people grow Hungarian wax peppers just so that they can pickle them and add them to burgers, stews, salads, and more.
The ingredients you will need for pickling are Hungarian wax peppers, garlic, water, kosher salt, white vinegar, peppercorns, and black mustard seeds.
First, you must remove the stem and slice them into rounds, get two jars and fill both with the same number of chopped peppers. Then put one garlic clove, peppercorns, and mustard seeds into both jars.
After this is done, it is time to boil the water, vinegar, and salt in a medium saucepan which you must keep stirring so that it all dissolves and once it does, take it off the heat and leave it to slightly cool before pouring it over the peppers until they are submerged.
That is the hard part over and now all you have to do is seal the jars with a tight lid and place them in the refrigerator for no less than two days before eating and can be kept for at least two months.
Stuffed Hungarian Wax Peppers
These peppers may not be big like bell peppers, but they can make for an excellent starter or as a snack when they are stuffed with a filling such as cheese or sausage.
However, they are large enough to be able to hold a lot of filling and are not too fiddly to work with. The ingredients that you will need to gather for this recipe are the Hungarian wax peppers themselves, ricotta, parmesan, eggs, garlic, kosher salt, parsley, and canola oil but any neutral oil will do.
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking tray with aluminum foil and a light spray of cooking oil to prevent anything from sticking. Cut the tops off of the peppers but don’t throw them away and remove the seeds.
Next, put the ricotta in a food processor and blend until it is smooth, then add the parmesan, eggs, parsley, garlic, and salt and mix until it is combined.
Carefully stuff this mixture into the peppers and place the tops back on them as they are being laid onto the baking tray. Drizzle a bit of oil over the top of them and leave them to bake in the oven for 35 to 45 minutes, you will know when they are ready when the cheese starts to melt and bubble.
Growing Your Own Hungarian Wax Pepper
Hungarian wax peppers can be found fresh or pickled at grocery stores, but you can also buy their seeds online and grow them yourself. These peppers adjust well to be being grown indoors and can make an attractive addition to any room as they cycle through their bright colors as they mature.
When they are being grown outside, they do best in a sheltered, sunny spot and can grow to reach 60 centimeters tall. The soil should be light and well-drained and if it is being grown in a put should be watered regularly.
