 |
SUMMER VEGETABLE
Description: Sweet peppers are bell shaped vegetables and also known as bell peppers. They have a nice sweet flavor and crunchy texture. Almost all peppers start out green and change over to another color during the ripening process. The most common variety is green and, although it is fully grown, it is not completely ripe. The yellow, orange and red varieties are riper and have a sweeter taste and are usually more expensive than the green. Mini-peppers are, as their name indicates, small peppers with a very sweet and crunchy taste and texture. Although available year round the peak season for this vegetable is from May through August. Selecting: When selecting, choose those that are firm to the touch, fresh looking with bright vivid color and a thick flesh. They should be heavy for their size and the stem should be firm. Avoid any that are soft, pale colored, show brown or soft spots and look shriveled. Storing and Handling: Store in the refrigerator. The green variety will last for approximately three to four days, depending on the freshness of the product. The more colorful varieties do not keep as long so be sure to check them often for spoilage. The mini variety will store for about two weeks, but again be sure to check on them often. Wash when you are ready to use and not before. Preparing: Cut carefully around the stem and remove. You will also need to remove the soft spongy membrane inside along with all the seeds. Wash thoroughly under cool running water and cut into slices, rings or dice. For the mini variety, simply remove the stem and wash and cut as desired. The seeds are edible but you can remove them if you do not like the taste. The seeds do tend to get bitter the longer you store them. Sauté: slice or chop and sauté in a little olive oil for 3-8 minutes until crisp- tender. Grill: add to any shish kabob by cutting into chunks and placing on the skewer along with meat, shrimp, tofu and vegetables of choice. Microwave: cut into pieces and place in a covered microwave safe dish with a little water and cook for approximately 3-5 minutes for a crisp-tender texture or approximately 6-10 minutes for a softer texture.
Serving Suggestions: Stuffed Peppers: Sweet peppers are delicious when stuffed with your favorite filling, seasoned meat, or rice or a combination of both. Stir-Fry: Toss with a little oil and a combination of your favorite vegetables for a delicious stir-fry. Use a variety of peppers together for an easy, colorful and flavorful side dish. Pasta: Sweet peppers, either cooked or raw, are a great addition to any pasta dish and work well with tomato sauces too. Seasonings and Foods to use: beef, cheese (cheddar and Colby are good choices), cilantro, chili peppers, fresh or roasted corn, eggs (great in omelets or scrambled eggs), onions, pork, poultry, tomatoes Quick Salad – Sweet Pepper Recipes: |
