bell peppers

Bell peppers, also known as sweet peppers, are known scientifically as Capsicum annuum, and are members of the nighstshade family, which also includes potatoes, tomatoes and eggplant. Bell peppers come in a variety of vivid colors such as green, red, yellow, orange, purple, brown and black.

How to Choose Bell PeppersThe shape of the pepper does not affect the quality, so look for peppers that have vivid colors and that are free of soft spots, blemishes and darkened areas. Their skin should be firm without any wrinkles and the stems should be green and fresh looking.
Peppers should be heavy for their size and firm enough so that
they will gently yield to slight pressure.

Where are Bell Peppers Grown?Pacific offers bell peppers in the summer and fall from Arizona.

How to Prepare Bell PeppersFirst, wash peppers under running water. If it has been waxed, scrub it well. Use a paring knife to cut around the stem and then gently remove it. The seeds are bitter and should be discarded.

How to Store Bell PeppersStore unwashed bell peppers in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for about a week. Green bell peppers will stay fresh a little longer than the yellow and red ones. Sweet peppers can be frozen without first being blanched. It is better to freeze them whole since there will be less exposure to air which can degrade both their nutrient content and flavor.

Nutritional InformationRaw red peppers provides an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin B6. In addition, red peppers contain beta-carotene and the beneficial phytonutrients lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin. Green peppers are a very good source of fiber, folate, and vitamin K as well as the minerals molybdenum and manganese. Also, green peppers have twice the amount of vitamin C by weight than citrus fruits, and this antioxidant may be effective in preventing certain cancers.