Bell Pepper Bonanza

Vibrant, flavorful, and easy to grow, sweet bell peppers offer a continuous harvest all summer long. Since they grow quickly and harvesting them encourages the plant to produce more, you can plan for a summer full of stuffed, baked, grilled, sautéed, and, of course, crunchy raw bell peppers.

How do you know when bell peppers are ready to pick?

Since you can enjoy bell peppers as soon as they are large enough to use, knowing when to pick them really depends on the flavor you’re looking for and your level of patience. All bell peppers are green from the start, and they get sweeter, milder, and fruitier—as they ripen from green to yellow, orange, and eventually red, a process that takes 2 to 4 weeks. While size and color are the main indicators for when to harvest bell peppers, watch out for corkiness—dry patches on the surface of the fruit that look a lot like cork. While corky fruit is just as good to eat, the blemishes take away from peppers’ aesthetic appeal.

What’s the best way to pick bell peppers?

If you’ve waited for your peppers to turn a certain color before harvesting, inspect all sides of it to make sure the color is evenly distributed. When you’re certain, use pruning shears or sharp garden scissors rather than just pulling the pepper, which could damage the plant. Holding the pepper in one hand, snip the stem about ½ inch about the fruit. Be sure to gently handle the pepper and be careful not to drop it so you can avoid bruising or damaging the skin, which won’t just look bad, it could cause the pepper to spoil prematurely. Also, picking peppers off your plant regularly will encourage it to produce more.

Should bell peppers be refrigerated?

If you’re going to use your peppers within a day or two, you can keep them at room temperature. Just make sure they have a spot that is cool and dry, and away from direct sunlight. Space them out so air can flow between them to help prevent them from spoiling. If you’re not sure when exactly you want them, go ahead and refrigerate your bell peppers. This will extend their shelf life and help preserve their flavor. Since moisture can promote the growth of mold, don’t wash peppers first. Just place them in a perforated or loosely closed plastic bag that allows for airflow, and store them in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, since it offers slightly higher humidity.

Prepare bell peppers to last longer

If your pepper plant is delivering way more than you can consume throughout the season, you’ve got options.

Extend the life and expand the use of your fresh bell peppers by turning them into something else. Roast and peel red bell peppers then store them in a jar filled with olive oil. They’re great on sandwiches, wraps, and antipasto platters. You can also use roasted peppers to make dips and spreads, hummus, salsa, or even jam.

Need more long-term storage? Freezing your bell peppers is easy and ensures that you can enjoy sweet memories of your summer garden all year long.

First wash and thoroughly dry the peppers. Then slice, dice, or chunk the peppers—removing the seeds and membranes. Place the peppers in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash-freeze them for an hour, then transfer the frozen pepper pieces into a freezer-safe bag or container. Label them and store in the freezer for 6 to 12 months. Pull them out and toss them in sautés, stir-fries, soups, casseroles, or quiches.

Delicious bell pepper recipes

Bell peppers are so versatile, there are countless ways to enjoy them—without even looking up a recipe.

Swap out your carrots for red bell pepper slices you can dip into hummus, brighten up your fresh veggie platter with a rainbow of bell peppers, or toss them into any salad. Add them to omelets, pizzas, pasta primaveras, or sandwiches.

Of course, stuffed peppers are an excellent option you can enjoy with countless grain, protein, and flavor combinations. And if you’re in the mood for fajitas, but want to keep things simple and sneak some extra greens and whole grains into your diet, try these Bell Pepper Fajita Bowls.

Bell Pepper Fajita Bowls