Commodity Articles
Peppers
December 2007It’s time to sweeten the pot with Florida bell peppers. Bell peppers are in season from October through July, so now is your chance to enjoy them during the peak of freshness. These beauties have so much color and zippy flavor that they make any dish seem special. Choose from green, red, yellow, orange, purple, “chocolate,” and even white varieties—each packs plenty of juicy crunch and tangy, zesty taste.
Bell peppers are bright and shiny as Christmas ornaments! Few foods are prettier. The taste is complex, with different notes and layers. Green peppers have a subtle hint of bitterness, while red, yellow, and orange peppers have a sweeter, almost fruity flavor.
Did you know a green pepper is simply a red pepper that isn’t ripe yet? This explains why the reds are sweeter: As the fruits mature (yes, a pepper is technically a fruit), the sugar content increases.
Bell peppers are an excellent source of dietary fiber and vitamins A and C. In fact, green peppers have twice the amount of vitamin C than orange juice, while red peppers have six times as much! Red peppers also contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers. Both red and green peppers are low in calories and free of cholesterol and saturated fat.
When shopping, look for firm, well-formed, relatively heavy peppers with taut, shiny skin. Avoid peppers with soft spots, bruises, scars, or watery-looking blemishes. Green peppers with streaks of red will be sweeter than peppers that are solid green—but don’t purchase them in hopes they will get redder and sweeter on your windowsill. Peppers stop ripening as soon as they are picked.
You can store peppers for up to five days in the refrigerator. Keeping peppers in a plastic bag is a good idea since they need humidity to stay succulent and fresh. Don’t store peppers near ethylene-producing foods (like peaches and pears) or they will rot quickly. In general, green peppers will keep a little longer than red peppers since they aren’t as far along in the ripening process.
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