Home Entertaining Ideas - Bell Peppers, Peppers, Capsicum

It is known as a bell pepper or sweet pepper in the USA, a pepper in the UK, a capsicum in Australia and pimientos by Spanish. But it is all the same fruit which is native to tropical America, and introduced to Europe by Christopher Columbus.

Technically it is a fruit and is a cousin to the fiery chilies. Although all peppers begin life in the shade of green, most change color as they ripen. It comes in a myriad colors, from green, red, yellow to orange, black and purple.

Red capsicums are the sweetest because of their higher sugar content ? they are also rich in vitamin C and beta carotene which the body converts to vitamin A. Orange and yellow peppers have almost as much sugar as the red type, while green ones have a low sugar content due to been picked earlier, which gives them their slightly bitter taste.

Strongly flavored cayenne pepper and paprika are made from different types of capsicums that are dried and ground into powders to make those spices we love.

When buying peppers select ones that are firm, glossy and heavy. Avoid those with wrinkled skin, blemishes or soft spots. Store in the vegetable crisper of your fridge for up to a week.

To prepare the pepper all you need do is cut length ways, remove the white seeds, pith and stalk; then cut into desired pieces.

Capsicums taste delicious when eaten raw and add color and crunch to a wide range of dishes and salads. When cooked, they can be used in pasta sauces, salsas, casseroles and antipasto platters. They also work well when stuffed with a variety of fillings.

If you want to roast your capsicums, follow this easy method. Place your peppers under a hot grill, or in a hot oven. When the skin blackens and blisters remove and immediately put them in a plastic bag. When cool enough to handle, peel the skin off with your fingers. You can now eat the roasted pepper or use it in cooking.

Try experimenting with different mixtures and types of capsicums to keep your cooking tasty, interesting and colorful.

Peppers also go well with Chicken Crock Pot Recipes.