Learn how simple it is to roast sweet bell peppers

Bell peppers are a crisp and nutritious botanical fruit, although in the culinary world they are described as a vegetable. Peppers were brought to the United States from Europe by none other than Christopher Columbus. They come in a variety of colors; red, yellow, white, rainbow, purple, orange and green.  The flavor changes along with the color. Green peppers are not as sweet as the orange and yellow peppers and actually have a slight bitterness to them. On the other hand the red bell pepper is the sweetest pepper of all. These red fruits/vegetables are best to roast to bring out more of that sweet goodness inside each one. The process is easy and the result is quite tasty.

Ingredients:

• Red bell peppers

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425’.
2. Wash peppers under cool running water.
3. Slice peppers in half lengthwise.
4. Remove the stems, membranes and all seeds.
5. Rinse again with cool water to ensure all seeds are removed.
6. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
7. Place the pepper halves down on the foil with the cut side down.
8. Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes until the skins darken and blister.
9. Once the skin blisters remove tray from the oven.
10. Carefully fold up the foil with the peppers inside to trap in the heat.
11. Let the peppers stand for 10-15 minutes until they are cool enough to touch.
12. Then lift the edges of the skin from the pepper with a knife and peel the skins off slowly.
13. Cut roasted peppers into strips and include them in your next meal, appetizer, salad or snack.
14. Enjoy!

Suggestions:

• Bring out a true tomato flavor by adding some roasted red bell peppers to a pot of tomato sauce.
• Make bruschetta with roasted peppers and add a little cheese or just drizzle some olive oil or balsamic vinegar to the tops for a simple and yet perfect appetizer.
• Puree or chop some into chili, soups or stews.
• Add sliced roasted peppers to your next antipasto.
• Include thin slices or diced peppers to a dinner salad.
• Add chilled or hot roasted peppers with sliced cheese to crackers for a delicious snack.
• All bell peppers can be roasted and will offer an array of flavors when eaten separately or combined when added to your menu.

Sweet bell peppers are always fresh at the Winona SuperValu located at 601 Middleton Road (662) 283 - 2515; check your weekly sales flyer.

The Leflore Farmers Market is open to the public and has a wide variety of fresh produce and sweet bell peppers.  The farmers market is located at 2503 Browning Road in Greenwood, (662) 453 - 7500.

© 2012 Beverly Mucha / All Rights Reserved

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