Shishito facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shishito pepper |
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| Species | Capsicum annuum |
| Origin | Asia |
The Shishito pepper is a cool and sometimes spicy pepper from East Asia. It's a type of plant called Capsicum annuum, which includes many different peppers.
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What Are Shishito Peppers Like?
Shishito peppers are small, about the length of your finger. They are slender and have thin walls. Even though they turn red when they are fully ripe, people usually pick them when they are still green.
The name "Shishito" comes from a Japanese word. The tip of the pepper looks a bit like a lion's (獅子, shishi) head. In Japanese, people often shorten the name to shishitō.
Are Shishito Peppers Spicy?
Most Shishito peppers are mild and not spicy at all! But here's a fun fact: about one out of every ten to twenty peppers might be spicy. It's like a little surprise!
Why do some get spicy? Things like lots of sunlight or other tough conditions for the plant can make them hotter. Scientists have found that the spicy part, called capsaicin, grows more easily in hot and dry weather. Even experts sometimes can't tell which pepper will be hot just by looking at it!
How to Cook Shishito Peppers
Shishito peppers are super popular for cooking. Before you cook them, it's a good idea to poke a small hole in the pepper. This lets hot air escape so the pepper doesn't burst while cooking.
You can cook them in many ways:
- Grilled: Put them on a skewer and grill them until they are soft.
- Pan-fried: Cook them quickly in a pan with a little oil.
- Stewed: They can be cooked in a tasty liquid made with soy sauce and dashi (a Japanese broth).
- Raw: You can even eat them raw in a salad or as a side dish.
Because they have thin skin, Shishito peppers can blister and get a little charred easily. This gives them a nice smoky flavor!
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