This post is all about Green Bell Peppers and is another installment in my series on summer vegetables either from my garden or local Farmers Market. You can check out my other posts on Sweet Corn and Green Beans.
When to Plant Green Bell Peppers
In northern Ohio, I planted my Green Bell Peppers on Memorial Day. Peppers are sensitive to the cold, so you have to wait until the soil and air has warmed up. My dad always said to to plant more than one pepper plant together. This year I planted two plants in my small raised bed garden.
When to Pick Green Bell Peppers
Wait as long as possible. This year in northern Ohio we have had some nights around 50F even before Labor Day in early September so I picked my mine. The largest of the three peppers was starting to get a red tint to it indicating that it was ready to be eaten!
How to Clean Green Bell Peppers
I wash the outsides with water. Green Bell Peppers are very odd shaped and it is difficult to figure out how to attack them with a knife. You have two basic options, either cut into rings or strips. I personally prefer strips. So just cut in half, clean out the seeds and white pith and then cut into strips with a sharp knife.
How to Cook Green Bell Peppers
Why would you cook them when they taste so delicious raw? OK, I guess I do cook them sometimes. I like adding Green Bell Peppers to omelettes to pump up the flavor and add some texture variation and also to tomato sauce just for the added flavor. My wife has an awesome recipe for Stuffed Green Peppers which I need to convince her to make so I can write a post about it.
How to Eat Green Bell Peppers
I love Green Bell Peppers raw and cut into strips. These are great for crunching on, adding to salads or dipping in hummus. The high crunch is awesome.
How to Freeze Green Bell Peppers
It is easy to freeze Green Bell Peppers, Just cut them into strips, put in a plastic storage bag and toss them in the freezer. When you need a green pepper then you can open the bag and break off just what you need, seal the bag and put it back in the freezer.