Pimento
A heart-shaped chili pepper used as olive stuffing.
The pimento, also called pimiento or cherry pepper, is a variety of red, heart-shaped chili pepper (Capsicum annuum). It is notable for its use as the familiar red stuffing in prepared Spanish or Greek green olives.
Quick Facts
- Species
- Capsicum annuum
- Cultivar
- Pimiento
Facts from the source article.
Description and habitat
Pimientos grow in hardiness zones 4 through 12. Immature pimento pods are green and develop other colors, including yellow, green, red, and maroon, as they reach maturity. Some varieties of the pimiento type are hot, such as the Floral Gem and Santa Fe Grande varieties. The name derives from Spanish and Portuguese, both from Latin for pigment or coloring, with earlier roots in Sanskrit, Ancient Greek, and Latin.
Uses
Pimiento peppers are the familiar red stuffing found in prepared Spanish or Greek green olives. Originally hand-cut and hand-stuffed, production is now mechanized using puréed pimientos formed into strips with natural gums like sodium alginate or guar gum. The fruits are used fresh, cooked, or pickled, and are commonly used for pimento cheese and pimento loaf.
More in Chili Pepper Varieties
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