A rustic Southern Italian dish traditionally from Calabria, made of stewed peppers with tomatoes, onions and herbs, peperonata Calabrese showcases the beauty of peppers like no other dish. Lovely as a healthy vegetarian side dish scooped over a bed of creamy polenta, as an appetizer on top of ricotta bruschetta or as a main dish tossed together with your favorite short pasta, like rigatoni or pene.
This is a really nostalgic dish for me as it reminds me of the man in the photo. So I make it often during bell pepper season, using a mix of colors and different heirloom tomato varieties. A healthy vegetarian peasant stew that just never gets old.
Wondering what to make with peppers and all the tomatoes this summer ? This rustic stew / sauce is it!
There are different variations you can experiment with, I mostly stick to the more traditional recipe but crumble some goat cheese on top and whatever herbs are having a moment. You can add mushrooms ( con i funghi ), potatoes or eggplant and zucchini ( peperonata zucchine e melanzane ), even poach a couple of eggs in there at the last minute for a rif on eggs in purgatory.
Simply put: an Italian ratatouille!
Feel free to add some olives or salty capers on top too and serve it on the antipasto platter.
If you like things a little spicy you may want to add a little fiery chili pepper in there, otherwise keep it sweet, mild and kid friendly as a “ Peperonata Dolce ”.
Traditional Peperonata Recipe
A rustic Southern Italian dish traditionally from Calabria, made of stewed pepper with tomatoes, onions and herbs, peperonata Calabrese showcases the beauty of peppers like no other dish.
Servings 4 people
Calories 310kcal
Ingredients
- 3 bell peppers (red, yellow and green)
- 1.5 lb heirloom tomatoes - mixed colors
- 1 purple onion (small)
- 1/2 leek (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes (or to taste)
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil + more as needed
- 1/3 cup fresh herbs (basil, chives + oregano)
- 1 tsp sea salt + more to taste
- 1 lemon
Instructions
- Slice the leek in half lengthwise and reserve half for later. Slice up the other half and rinse it well in a bowl of cold water. Scoop the leeks out of the water and dry them well on a tea towel.
- Warm up a large skillet on medium low flame. Add 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and the leeks with a pinch of sea salt. Saute for about 10 minutes until they start to get some color. Add the re pepper flakes.
- Rinse and cut the bell peppers into 1 inch pieces. Add them to the skillet with the leeks and give everything a good stir.
- Slice the red onion into 1 inch pieces as well and add it to the skillet. Stir well and cook everything together for about 10 minutes until the peppers start to soften and get some color.
- Meanwhile wash and cut the tomatoes into wedges or similar size pieces with the peppers.
- Add the minced garlic to the pan and give everything a good stir. Cook 30 seconds then add the tomatoes. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and cover with a lid. Cook another 5 minutes or so until the tomatoes burst and release their juices.
- Squeeze the juice from half a lemon to the Peperonata, taste and adjust seasonings with more sea salt and lemon juice.
- Remove from heat and finish with a light drizzle of extra virgin olive and sprinkle with the fresh basil, chives and oregano.
- Serve with crusty bread, creamy polenta, toss with your favorite short pasta or cous cous.
Nutrition
Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 600mg | Potassium: 834mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 4395IU | Vitamin C: 156.8mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 3.2mg
