Friggitello facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Friggitello |
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Three pickled friggitelli
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| Species | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Italy |
| Heat |  Mild |
| Scoville scale | 100–500 SHU |
The friggitello (say "frih-jee-TEL-loh") is a type of sweet chili pepper from Italy. It's also known by other names like the Golden Greek pepper or Sweet Italian pepper. In the United States, you might hear it called "pepperoncini". However, it's important to know that these are different from the hot Italian chili peppers called "peperoncini" (with an "e" instead of an "i").
Friggitello peppers are mild, meaning they aren't very spicy. They have a slight warmth and a little bit of bitterness. You can often find them pickled and sold in jars. In Italy, friggitelli are most famous in the region of Tuscany. A Greek type of friggitello is even sweeter and is popular in other parts of Europe and the United States.
Growing Friggitello Peppers
Just like many other types of Capsicum annuum plants, friggitello peppers need a warm place with lots of sunshine to grow well. They don't like cold weather or frost at all.
To start growing them, you plant the seeds. It takes about 10 to 14 days for the seeds to sprout. After that, the plant will grow big enough to produce peppers in about 70 to 80 days. These plants like soil that is a bit rich and drains water easily. But be careful not to give them too much fertilizer, or they might not grow as many peppers.
Friggitello plants can grow lots of peppers, which can make them quite heavy! Because of this, they often need a stake or support to stop them from falling over. You should pick the peppers when they are about 5–7.5 centimetres (2.0–3.0 in) long. Even though they will turn red when they are fully ripe, it's usually best to harvest them while they are still green.
Cooking with Friggitello Peppers
Even though friggitello peppers are often pickled, many people think they taste best when they are fresh. They have a special flavor that comes out when they are eaten raw or cooked simply.
These peppers are great for sautéing (cooking quickly in a little oil), stuffing with other ingredients, or just "popping" them whole into your mouth after a quick cook. They go well with fruits and are a tasty addition to salads, compotes (fruit sauces), or on sandwiches.
You might also see friggitelli served with kebab, like İskender kebap. If you buy them pickled, they can be bright yellow or a bright yellow-green color. Sometimes, extra coloring is added to them. If you're serving pickled friggitelli, some people like to rinse them quickly in cold water. This helps to wash off some of the pickling liquid and makes their flavor even better.
