When it comes to chilies, most people are familiar with only the jalapeño pepper. However, there are lots of other peppers that you can try that will add some extra flavor and heat to your dish. Thankfully, not all of these peppers will make your mouth feel as though it is on fire.
The pepperoncini are one of these lesser-known peppers. If you are a fan of European cooking, you may already be familiar with pepperoncini peppers. If not, continue reading to discover what these peppers are and how they can be added to your cooking.
What Are Pepperoncini Peppers?
This variety of peppers is also frequently referred to as sweet Italian peppers, Tuscan peppers, or Greek peppers. Pepperoncini peppers are known by these titles because they originate from Italy and Greece. They are distinctive thanks to their bright and bold yellow or green coloring.
How Can These Peppers Be Used In Cooking?
In Italian cookery, the flavor of pepperoncini peppers is prioritized above their heat. After all, as quite mild peppers, they will not provide much heat to a meal. You can eat peppers cooked or raw.
When implemented into a dish, pepperoncini peppers will give you a sweet vinegary taste.
Pepperoncini peppers are particularly popular in Calabria, a region of Italy. In this region, pepperoncini peppers are thatched to wires and hung. Consequently, they will dry, allowing them to be used in cooking at a later date.
In Calabrian cuisine, these peppers are cooked in a variety of ways. These peppers can be fried, eaten whole, and turned into a paste or powder.
In Italian cuisine, pepperoncini peppers may be an ingredient in arrabbiata sauce. This spicy sauce is combined with pasta. It is made from tomato, garlic, and chili peppers. Often, the chili peppers that are used to make arrabbiata are pepperoncini.
Pepperoncinis are used in condiments and sauces. You may also add it to your salad in order to give it an extra kick of flavor. Some places also add pepperoncini to garnish the rims of Bloody Mary glasses.
What Are The Origins Of Pepperoncini Peppers?
The exact history of the pepperoncini pepper is not known. They are believed to have been brought to Europe by Christopher Colombus after 1492. Pepperoncini peppers arrived in Italy in the 16th century.
Before it was utilized in Italian cooking, it was used as a decorative ornament. The first surviving use of this pepper in a recipe dates back to 1694. This cookbook was written by Antonio Latini.
How Hot Are Pepperoncini Peppers?
When it comes to finding out about new varieties of peppers, one of the most important things to know is how hot they are. In terms of pepperoncini, they range in heat. Some of these peppers are more spicy and hot than others.
Founded in 1912, the Scoville scale is a measurement of how hot chili peppers are. To measure the heat of peppers, they are measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). Pepperoncini peppers tend to be between 100 and 500 SHU. In comparison to lots of other peppers, this is quite mild.
For example, the jalapeño pepper ranges from 3,500 to 8,000 SHU. This means that it is several times hotter than the pepperoncini. If you are fine with eating jalapeño, pepperoncini will be no challenge for you in terms of heat.
What Do Pepperoncini Peppers Look Like?
Pepperoncini peppers tend to be yellow or yellowish-green in color. However, they will eventually become red over time as they begin to become more mature.
Because of their yellow color, the pepperoncini can be confused with banana peppers. In terms of size, they are around 2-3 inches in length. This is the standard size of peppers.
What Are The Nutritional Value Of Pepperoncini Peppers?
Like other members of the Capsicum pepper family, these peppers are very healthy. They tend to be high in vitamin A and C. Vitamin A is excellent for your eyes and skin.
Meanwhile, vitamin C will help to grow and develop the tissue in your body. Because of this, it will help your body to function properly. Consuming both of these will lower the risk of you developing cancer.
They are extremely low in calories and carbohydrates. Because of this, they are ideal for people who are aiming to have a healthy and balanced diet. If you add pepperoncini peppers to your meals, you will enhance their nutritional value.
Where Can I Buy Pepperoncini Peppers?
Because they are less popular than other peppers, it may be harder to find pepperoncinis. They are unlikely to be sold in quite small grocery stores, though larger shops may stock them. If you visit a grocer, they will probably have pepperoncini peppers available.
If you are looking for a preserved variety, we recommend this product.
You can also grow your own pepperoncini peppers if you are finding them difficult to obtain. They are quite simple to grow, making them suitable for novice and inexperienced gardeners.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have some lingering questions regarding this variety of pepper, we have answered some of the most regularly asked questions to provide some clarity.
Are Pepperoncinis And Jalapeños The Same?
No, these two types of peppers are not the same. You may mistake them for one another since they are quite similar in terms of appearance. They are quite similar in size too, though the pepperoncinis can be slightly larger. However, the pepperoncini pepper is much milder than the jalapeño.
How Do You Say Pepperoncini?
If you are not used to the Italian language, pepperoncini may seem like a difficult word to say. If you are unsure as to how to say this word, here is some guidance:
Pep-per-awn-chee-nee
Typically, you would emphasize the “chee” syllable when this word is pronounced.
Are Pepperoncinis Good For Dogs?
Pepperoncini peppers will not be harmful to your dogs in small doses. On the other hand, most dogs will not like this food, so it is not a good idea to give it to them. As a general rule, you should not give spicy food to your dogs or other pets unless told otherwise by a vet.
Can You Eat Pepperoncini Seeds?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to eat the seeds of pepperoncinis and most other peppers.
Final Thoughts
The pepperoncini pepper is less commonly used than other forms of pepper. Despite this, it is worth implementing it into your recipes. Though its heat will not be as intense as other peppers, it will add a mild flavor to it.
It will be particularly ideal for people who like a subtle hint of heat in their meals without being overwhelmed by it.
