Market Fresh: Red Bell Peppers

The Flavour
Although a member of the chili-pepper family, red bell peppers have a fresh, sweet flavour, rather than a whole lot of heat. Red and green peppers are actually one and the same, the difference being red peppers have had time to fully ripen and sweeten.

Red Pepper Goes Well With...
Chicken; fish; anchovies; olives; capers; cheese; rice; pasta; tomatoes; basil; cilantro; garlic; balsamic vinegar; olive oil.

Buying & Storing Tips
Put red pepper on your menu tonight – they are perfect for the picking midsummer to fall. Choose peppers that are firm, shiny and blemish-free. Store in the fridge for up to a week before use.

Preparing & Using
Raw peppers punch up salads and wraps with brilliant colour and flavour. They can also be stir-fried, broiled, braised, barbecued, baked and roasted.
Chef’s Tip: Try cooking stuffed peppers in a large muffin tray, rather than a roasting pan, to prevent them from falling over.

Nutritional Information
Red peppers have six times more vitamin C than their equivalent weight in citrus fruit. They are also full of beta carotene and a source of vitamins B6 and C and fibre.

• Give them a hint of what's for dinner with this pepper-shaped casserole dish– it's perfect for serving right out of the oven!
  

Next week in Market to Table: Sweet Corn

Find out what else is fresh in stores and farmers' markets now. Read the complete Market to Table collection now!