Modern Diet Series
Hear the Sweet Bell Pepper the Air
Native to Mesoamerica
History
European conquerors noticed the spice of native foods. Columbus assumed he was in India. But, these were not the flavors of the peppercorn.
The Aztecs cooked a chili-seasoned stew, for example. During the Columbian Exchange, seeds and plants traveled back to Europe. (So were diseases — mostly from Europe to the Americas.) The chili pepper made its way across the world.
Frankly, the colonizers thought most chilis were too hot. Their delicate palettes couldn’t handle much more than meat, milk, and bread. I would include potatoes, but those aren’t from Europe. White folks hadn’t yet tasted those Incan delights.
While the spicy flavors became popular in Asia, Europeans had more delicate sensibilities. They preferred a sweeter, non-spicy pepper from the specimens available. This became known by Europeans as the bell pepper.
But why would they call it a bell pepper? Sure, it resembles a bell in a way. Find the answer in the wind. Whenever a strong breeze blew, the seed pod inside would knock around. The sound it produced led to its name.
Finding the precise origin of chilis is difficult. While Mexico claims its origin, the largest biodiversity lies in Peru. Birds likely carry the seeds to new places after eating their berries.
At Mboro Garden, we have grown a chili bed for the past several years. If you recall my propagation article, Jacob Seals gave us several varieties. That’s why I’d call him Dr. Pepper.
Details
Scientific name: Capsicum annuum
Zones: 3 to 11
Difficulty: Moderate
Flavor: Bitter, grassy, sweet, often spicy
Uses: Food, flavoring, military, pest deterrent
Nutrition: Vitamins A & C, potassium, folic acid, fiber
Origin: Central and South America
Related: Chilis, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes
Companions: Basil, carrot, eggplant, flowers, herbs, onions, spinach, tomatoes
Avoid near: Apricots, beans, brassicas, fennel
Pests: Aphids, Colorado potato beetle, flea beetles, leafminers, tomato fruit worm, spider mites
Pollinators: Self-pollinating
Varieties: Anaheim, Banana, Bell, Bull Nose, Cajun Belle, Jalapeno, Pimiento, Pinot Noir, Poblano, Purple, Shishito, and more.
Growth & Harvest
In their native habitat, chilis could return each year. But if you live up north, you may need to replant them each growing season. They like full sun of 6+ hours, and you’ll want to plant them 18–24 inches apart. Remember, “Right plant, right place.”
Plant in loamy soil that drains well. The best time to plant is about two weeks after your last frost. Where I live in middle Tennessee, that means around the end of April. Start your seed within 12–16 weeks before planting for best results. Or you can buy starts.
Remember to water whenever you sow seed. Mix some compost into the surrounding soil for a slow-release fertilizer. Stake the peppers if you like; they tend to bush out when they grow.
Recipe: Easy Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients: Beef, cheese, garlic, marinara, onion, peppers, rice, sausage, salt & pepper, seasoning, tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce,
Directions:
- Saute onion & garlic. Brown your beef.
- Cook your rice with water, tomato, and seasonings until tender.
- While filling is simmering, cook or air-fry your half-peppers.
- Fill peppers with the other ingredients mixed up
- Sprinkle with cheese and bake until the top bubbles up.
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