Peperonata (Sweet Bell Peppers With Olive Oil, Onion, and Tomatoes) Recipe (2024)

Why It Works

  • Slow cooking over very low heat breaks down the vegetables and concentrates their flavors.

Quick: How many dishes can you name with bell peppers as the one and only star ingredient?

Peperonata (Sweet Bell Peppers With Olive Oil, Onion, and Tomatoes) Recipe (1)

I asked myself this question recently and got stuck on crudités. And even that's not a good answer, because a raw vegetable platter gives equal billing to all the other options, from celery sticks to carrots.

Stuffed peppers? I'd argue that the stuffing is just as important.

Roasted pepper pasta? Nah, it can't exist without the pasta.

See what I mean? As much as we use peppers in all sorts of dishes, they almost never get the spotlight all to themselves. Except for in peperonata. If you haven't heard of it, peperonata is a side dish from southern Italy that features sweet summer bell peppers cooked down in plenty of olive oil until they're meltingly soft. It's so simple, it belongs in our collection of easy Summer Recipes.

Sure, there are a few other ingredients. There's some tomato in there, and certainly some onion and garlic. You can hit it with a splash of wine vinegar for a little sweet-sour effect, or add an herb like basil or oregano for some extra layers of aromatics. But peperonata is ultimately all about those peppers.

Peperonata (Sweet Bell Peppers With Olive Oil, Onion, and Tomatoes) Recipe (2)

So let's start there: This dish is most worth making in the summer, when bell peppers are intensely sweet and flavorful. That sweetness is important, since it forms the base of the gentle sweet-sour character that makes peperonata so good. Out-of-season peppers can be used, but you may need to sprinkle on a tiny bit of sugar to get the flavor balance right. Green bell peppers, which are just red or yellow ones before they turn ripe, have no place in this dish for the very same reason—they bring very little natural sugar to the table.

To make it, I start by slicing bell peppers into strips. Be sure to trim away any of the white ribs inside the peppers.

Peperonata (Sweet Bell Peppers With Olive Oil, Onion, and Tomatoes) Recipe (3)

I gently cook sliced garlic in a generous amount of olive oil until it shows the first hints of turning golden.

Peperonata (Sweet Bell Peppers With Olive Oil, Onion, and Tomatoes) Recipe (4)

Next, I add sliced onions and get them started on their way to softness.

Peperonata (Sweet Bell Peppers With Olive Oil, Onion, and Tomatoes) Recipe (5)

I don't let the onions go too long before adding the peppers, though. Peppers need quite a bit of time to fully soften, so it's better to get them into the pot sooner than later.

I let the peppers cook for a bit, until they start to compress. You'll notice that at first they nearly fill this pot. That's because they're so rigid that they stack up with lots of space between them.

Peperonata (Sweet Bell Peppers With Olive Oil, Onion, and Tomatoes) Recipe (6)

Once they've started to collapse, I add some tomato puree, which I make by simply blending canned whole tomatoes with their juices.

I also throw in some herbs. In this case, I've used sprigs of fresh basil, which I love in this dish, but oregano and marjoram are excellent choices, too.

Peperonata (Sweet Bell Peppers With Olive Oil, Onion, and Tomatoes) Recipe (7)

I let the whole thing simmer over moderate heat until the peppers are totally softened and bathed in a rich sauce of their own reduced juices mixed with the olive oil; that can take up to an hour or so, so be patient. A touch of wine vinegar right at the end helps brighten the whole thing up.

Peperonata (Sweet Bell Peppers With Olive Oil, Onion, and Tomatoes) Recipe (8)

This is another one of those dishes that's good hot, but even better served at room temperature after spending a night in the fridge. It's great alongside roasted meats or as a side dish that's part of a larger spread, as well as spooned onto good, crusty rustic bread.

One bite is enough to make me believe that bell peppers are capable of a lot more starring roles than they're given. But even if they're destined to be a one-hit wonder, this is a heck of a hit.

August 2015

Recipe Details

Peperonata (Sweet Bell Peppers With Olive Oil, Onion, and Tomatoes)

Cook95 mins

Active90 mins

Total95 mins

Serves4to 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • 6 medium cloves garlic, thinly sliced

  • 2 medium yellow onions, sliced 1/4 inch thick

  • 4 pounds red, yellow, and/or orange bell peppers (about 6 large bell peppers), stemmed, seeded, and sliced lengthwise 1/2 inch thick

  • 1 cup pureed tomatoes (see notes)

  • 2 sprigs basil or oregano

  • Kosher salt

  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar

Directions

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 1/2 cup olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until just starting to turn golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in onions, increase heat to medium-high, and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, about 20 minutes.

    Peperonata (Sweet Bell Peppers With Olive Oil, Onion, and Tomatoes) Recipe (9)

  2. Add tomato and basil or oregano sprigs and stir to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer, then lower heat to maintain simmer. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until peppers are very soft, about 1 hour. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup olive oil and season with salt. Stir in vinegar (see notes). Discard herb sprigs. Serve right away, or chill, then serve reheated, slightly chilled, or at room temperature.

    Peperonata (Sweet Bell Peppers With Olive Oil, Onion, and Tomatoes) Recipe (10)

Notes

For the pureed tomatoes, you can use a puree of fresh peeled and seeded tomatoes that have been briefly cooked to concentrate their flavor, or canned whole tomatoes that you've blended with their juices. (Canned tomatoes are often the better choice, since they are usually top-quality.) If you make this with beautiful, ripe summer bell peppers, they should provide enough sweetness to balance the small amount of vinegar. If your peppers are less sweet and the peperonata tastes a little too tart, add a tiny bit of sugar, a pinch at a time, until the flavor is balanced.

  • Bell Peppers
  • Italian
  • Vegetarian Sides
  • Vegetable Sides
Peperonata (Sweet Bell Peppers With Olive Oil, Onion, and Tomatoes) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is peperonata made of? ›

If you haven't heard of it, peperonata is a side dish from southern Italy that features sweet summer bell peppers cooked down in plenty of olive oil until they're meltingly soft. It's so simple, it belongs in our collection of easy Summer Recipes.

Do you cook onions or bell peppers first? ›

Cook for 1-2 minutes. Note we like to start cooking the pepper first (before the onion) because it takes longer for pepper to cook down to the same softness. Add the onion to the same pan and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes until it's just starting to soften. Add salt and pepper to taste.

How do you get the most flavor out of bell peppers? ›

Roasting bell peppers adds a sweet, slightly smoky flavor. You can buy roasted peppers in a jar, but it's so easy to do from scratch and the flavors are so much better.

What is the healthiest way to eat bell peppers? ›

We saved the best (and easiest) for last – eating raw Sweet Peppers is by far the most nutritious way to enjoy this fresh fruit. Eat them as an on-the-go snack, toss them into a light salad, or slice them up and dip them in hummus – it's hard to beat the crispy, sweet crunch of a raw Sweet Pepper.

What is the meaning of Peperonata? ›

Peperonata (or stewed peppers) is an Italian vegetable stew typically composed of red bell peppers, tomatoes and garlic. It may be used as a sauce for pasta or served as a side dish to meat and fish dishes. It may be also included as part of a ragù.

Do peppers and tomatoes grow well together? ›

Tomatoes. Although it's usually recommended to not plant tomatoes and peppers right after each other in the same bed every year, they can be grown together in the same garden bed (and then rotated to another bed next season).

What seasoning is good on bell peppers? ›

I love to use thyme on my sautéed bell peppers. But there are other herbs that also compliment the sweetness of them that you can use, too. Try adding basil, chives, cilantro, coriander, cumin, curry, garlic, marjoram, or rosemary to you bell peppers when cooking for more amazing flavor combinations.

Do you cook onions or tomatoes first? ›

Add onions and saute over medium heat until they begin to soften and start to brown slightly, about 5 minutes (depends on the size of your onions, though!) Add tomatoes, and reduce heat to medium low. Add more broth if pan looks dry. When tomatoes have begun to soften, add spices, stirring to distribute evenly.

What goes first tomato or onion? ›

Here's the sequence I am using for making curries: Heat oil, add onions and fry till golden in medium heat, add in ginger and garlic paste, fry in low heat until the oil seeps, then add in diced tomatoes and keep frying until the tomatoes melt into a gooey mess.

What is the best way to eat sweet peppers? ›

You can eat mini sweet peppers just like you would eat something like baby carrots. Just dunk them in things like hummus, ranch dressing, or blue cheese dressing and gobble them up. We like to roast them in the oven sometimes for extra flavor and to switch things up.

Which color bell pepper has the most flavor? ›

Red bell peppers are the sweetest of the bell pepper varieties while green peppers will taste more bitter because they are in their less mature and unripe forms. For this reason, slicing and snacking on raw bell peppers may be more palatable if you choose a red bell pepper, or even a yellow or orange color variety.

How do you perk up bell peppers? ›

If they've lost their crispness and you want them for salads, you can slice them up and try a 10 minute ice bath in a bowl. You can also pickle the peppers, even in their limp state.

What does eating bell peppers do to your body? ›

Bell peppers are rich in many vitamins and antioxidants, especially vitamin C and various carotenoids. For this reason, they may have several health benefits, such as improved eye health and reduced risk of several chronic diseases. All in all, bell peppers are an excellent addition to a healthy diet.

What part of your body are bell peppers good for? ›

Bell peppers are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and fiber. They also possess antioxidant properties, which may help to protect against diseases such as cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Bell peppers, or sweet peppers, come in different colors, depending on how ripe they are.

Which color bell pepper is the healthiest? ›

You've seen bell peppers -- green, orange, yellow, and red -- in the grocery store or in a salad bar. Red peppers pack the most nutrition, because they've been on the vine longest.

What is jalapeno jam made of? ›

Combine diced peppers, sugar, vinegar, lime juice, and salt in a large, deep pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, but maintain boil for 10 minutes. Stir in liquid pectin and boil for another minute. Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.

Where does pepper jelly come from? ›

Pepper jelly has a rich history and cultural significance in various regions around the world. From its origins in Central and South America to its modern adaptations and variations, this sweet and spicy condiment has captivated the taste buds of countless food lovers.

How do you eat pepper jam? ›

Serve as a dip for shrimp, French fries, onion rings, or chicken fingers. Spoon onto warm cornbread or muffins. Spread bagels with cream cheese; add a spoonful as a delicious topper.

Where does Muhammara originate from? ›

Muhammara is a Middle Eastern roasted red pepper and walnut dip that originated in Syria. Nutty, zingy, spicy, and sweet, it's fantastic on pita, fresh veggies, and more.

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