Our Varieties:
Peppers often go through a series of color changes. Traditionally, they will turn from green to yellow to orange to red. Some of our other varieties will also turn purple, white, or may have stripes.
“Lunch box” peppers or Italian “Frying peppers” are also sweet, but don’t have the classic bell pepper shape. Lunch box peppers are cone shaped and bite size. Frying peppers are long and skinny; they often look a lot like hot peppers.
Hot peppers can vary widely in appearance so knowing which variety you have is key. Jalepenos and Fish Peppers are common in our gardens.
Red Knight - A classic crisp and sweet red bell pepper
Gourmet - A sweet orange bell pepper
Islander - A colorful variety that cycles through purple, yellow, orange, and finally deep red stages
Fish Peppers turn from green to white to red and often have stripes!
Harvest:
Most peppers can be picked during any stage of ripening but the flavor will change with maturity. With each change in color, sweet peppers get sweeter while hot peppers get hotter.
Harvest by grabbing the fruit firmly and using a knife, scissors, or shears to cut the stem right above the fruit.
The more quickly you pick them, the more they will produce!
End of the harvest:
Pepper plants will produce fruit all Summer. They will begin to slow in production and become more susceptible to disease when the temperature begins to cool. Peppers will not withstand frost, but we usually remove the plants well before then.
Storage and handling:
Brush off any soil - do not wash your peppers until you are ready to use.
Place peppers loose or in an open plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the fridge. It is important that they stay dry.
Peppers will last up to a week in the fridge.
Recipe ideas:
Slice and serve raw along side hummus as a sweet, crispy snack
Pair with whole garlic cloves and halved onions, drizzle with olive oil, and roast in the oven or on the grill for a sweet, smoky, and savory side
Make stuffed bell peppers for a delicious entree and a beautiful presentation - Cut off top, scoop out seeds, and stuff with grains, veggies, and/or ground meat, then bake.