Cubanelle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cubanelle |
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Green and red Cubanelle peppers
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| Species | Capsicum annuum |
| Heat |  Mild |
| Scoville scale | 100 – 1,000 SHU |
The Cubanelle pepper is a type of sweet pepper. It's also known as the "Cuban pepper" or "Italian frying pepper." This pepper belongs to the same plant family as many other peppers, called Capsicum annuum.
When a Cubanelle pepper is young and not yet ripe, it looks light yellowish-green. But if you let it ripen fully, it will turn a bright red color. Compared to a bell pepper, the Cubanelle has thinner walls and is usually longer. It also has a slightly wrinkled look.
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What is a Cubanelle Pepper?
Cubanelle peppers are a popular kind of sweet pepper. They are not very spicy, which makes them great for cooking. They are often called "frying peppers" because they are delicious when lightly fried.
How to Spot a Cubanelle Pepper
You can usually tell a Cubanelle pepper by its shape and color.
- It's longer than a bell pepper.
- It has a slightly wrinkled skin.
- When unripe, it's a light yellowish-green.
- When fully ripe, it turns bright red.
- Its flesh is thinner than a bell pepper's.
Are Cubanelle Peppers Spicy?
Cubanelle peppers are considered very mild. Their spiciness is measured on something called the Scoville scale. This scale tells us how much capsaicin (the chemical that makes peppers hot) is in a pepper. Cubanelle peppers usually score between 100 and 1,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU). To give you an idea, a jalapeño pepper can be much hotter, often scoring thousands of SHU!
Where Do Cubanelle Peppers Grow?
These peppers are grown in many places. A lot of the Cubanelle peppers sold around the world come from the Dominican Republic. In the Dominican Republic, they are called ají cubanela. This country is a major exporter of this type of pepper.
How Are Cubanelle Peppers Used?
Cubanelle peppers are a key ingredient in many dishes. They are used a lot in the cooking of several countries, including:
They are often used in stir-fries, stews, and sauces. Because they are mild, they add flavor without too much heat.
