Written by Erin Odom, Contributing Writer
I don't pretend to be a master gardener. In fact, my thumb is more black than green. But one vegetable that always seems to flourish in my garden is the pepper. And, despite my limited abilities, my family always ends up with an abundance of them!
Thankfully, peppers freeze extremely well, and there are lots of great recipes that call for peppers that you can implement in your kitchen all year round.
Health Benefits of Peppers
Besides being fairly easy to grow, peppers are full of wonderful health benefits, like:
- antioxidant abilities that help neutralize free radicals in the body
- rich source of both vitamins A and C
- great source of fiber, folate, vitamins K and B6 and beta-carotene (red bell peppers)
- may help burn calories and stabilize metabolism (source)
Image by Linda N.
Freezing Peppers
Peppers are extremely easy to freeze. All you have to do is wash them, pat them dry, chop or slice them, place them in a freezer bag, and store them in the freezer! I really wish I had known this the first year we gardened. I regret that I let a lot of peppers go bad while sitting in the fridge.
I normally freeze my peppers in two different ways: diced into tiny chunks and ready for casseroles, egg dishes, etc. or sliced and ready for stir fry, fajitas, etc. I usually store about one pepper per freezer bag.
It is important to note that you can't really eat thawed-out peppers raw. They will be a little mushy. But frozen peppers are perfect to add to cooked dishes.
Image by La Grande Farmers' Market
Using Up All Those Peppers!
There are so many dishes that call for peppers. Obviously, you will get the best health benefits by eating peppers raw, but you may not have that option when it's the middle of winter and you are using your thawed-out peppers that you so faithfully froze from your summer garden's abundance.
The following meals should help you take advantage of all your peppers--without making your family bored!
Breakfast Dishes
- Add peppers to omelets or simply toss them into scrambled eggs.
- Make gallo pinto: This traditional Costa Rican breakfast calls for any color bell pepper. This dish may double as a lunch or even supper for an American.
- Spread toast, an English muffin or bagel with homemade pepper jelly. (You'll want to trade out sucanat for sugar in the linked recipe.)
- Bake bell pepper muffins: I've never made these, but you can't deny they are unique! (If I were to make this recipe, I'd modify it a bit for health reasons.)
Image by suavehouse113
Lunch/Soups/Salads
- Top garden salads/taco salads with fresh bell or banana peppers.
- Add bell or hot peppers to chicken tortilla soup.
- Fold into quesadillas or wraps for a quick and easy lunch.
- Include bell peppers in an easy jambalaya.
- Warm your family this winter with a beef and bell pepper stew.
Appetizers/Sauces/Side Dishes
- Use Anaheim peppers in homemade "rotel."
- Create a homemade salsa with a variety of peppers.
- These black bean stuffed sweet potatoes are a great source of protein, vitamin A...and include both bell and hot peppers!
- Add peppers into guacamole for a crunchy, spicy twist.
- Pepper jelly served with cream cheese on crackers is a wonderful appetizer (and the first way I ever ate it!)!
- Try Brandy's creamy jalapeno ranch dip.
- Spice up a basic pasta sauce recipe by adding diced bell peppers.
Supper
- Include jalepenos or even a milder variety as a topping on ultimate nachos.
- Hollow out a large bell pepper to create classic stuffed peppers. (I love them in the crock pot!).
- Saute with onions and steak or chicken for a fajita dinner.
- Add them to a variety of casserole dishes--like Katie's unique lentil-rice casserole.
- Use them as a pizza topping.
- Couple with veggies of your choice for a simple stir fry.
- Add to enchiladas.
I have yet to discover any desserts that call for peppers; I'm curious if anyone in the Keeper of the Home community has any unique pepper recipes to share!
Have you ever frozen peppers? What are some unique ways you use up an abundance of peppers?
Top Image by Itinerant Tightwad
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