''Friggitello'' (: ''friggitelli'') is a sweet

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, a Romance ethnic group related to or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance languag ...

chili pepper Chili peppers, also spelled chile or chilli ( ), are varieties of fruit#Berries, berry-fruit plants from the genus ''Capsicum'', which are members of the nightshade family Solanaceae, cultivated for their pungency. They are used as a spice to ...

of the species ''

Capsicum annuum ''Capsicum annuum'' is a fruiting plant from the family Solanaceae (nightshades), within the genus Capsicum which is native to the northern regions of South America and to southwestern North America. The plant produces Berry, berries of many color ...

''. It is also known as the "Golden Greek pepper", "Sweet Italian pepper", or "Tuscan pepper". In the United States they may be called "pepperoncini"; they are quite distinct from Italian ''

peperoncini ''Peperoncino'' (; : ''peperoncini'') is the generic Italian name for hot chili peppers, specifically some regional cultivars of the species ''Capsicum annuum'' and '' C. frutescens'' (chili pepper and Tabasco pepper, respectively). The sweet ...

'', which are hot Italian chili peppers. ''Friggitello'' is mild with a slight heat and a hint of bitterness, and is sometimes pickled and sold in jars. In Italy ''friggitello'' is most associated with the region of

Tuscany Tuscany ( ; ) is a Regions of Italy, region in central Italy with an area of about and a population of 3,660,834 inhabitants as of 2025. The capital city is Florence. Tuscany is known for its landscapes, history, artistic legacy, and its in ...

. The Greek variety, which is sweeter, is commonly used elsewhere in Europe and the United States.

Cultivation

Like many other cultivars of ''

'', ''friggitello'' requires a warm climate with a lot of sunlight and is not tolerant of frost. The seeds take 10 to 14 days to germinate, after which the plant will reach maturity in 70 to 80 days. It appreciates slightly rich and well-drained soils, but overfertilized soil will result in fewer fruits. The plant has the potential to grow plenty of fruits, so it requires staking if it is to be prevented from falling over due to the weight of the fruits. The fruits should be harvested when they are long. Mature fruits will eventually turn red, but it is best to pick them while they are still green.

Culinary use

Although it is often pickled, ''friggitello'' has a complex flavor which is appreciated most when it is eaten fresh. It lends itself very well to

sautéing Sautéing or sauteing (, ; , , 'jumped', 'bounced', in reference to tossing while cooking) is a method of cooking that uses a relatively small amount of oil or fat in a shallow pan over relatively high heat. Various sauté methods exist. Descr ...

stuffing Stuffing, filling, or dressing is an edible mixture, often composed of herbs and a Starch#Food, starch such as bread, used to fill a cavity in the preparation of another food item. Many foods may be stuffed, including poultry, seafood, and v ...

, and popping. It combines nicely with fruits and is a suitable ingredient to use in

salad A salad is a dish consisting of mixed ingredients, frequently vegetables. They are typically served chilled or at room temperature, though some can be served warm. Condiments called '' salad dressings'', which exist in a variety of flavors, a ...

s and compotes or on

sandwich A sandwich is a Dish (food), dish typically consisting variously of meat, cheese, sauces, and vegetables used as a filling between slices of bread, or placed atop a slice of bread; or, more generally, any dish in which bread serves as a ''co ...

es. They are also often served with

kebab Kebab ( , ), kebap, kabob (alternative North American spelling), kebob, or kabab (Kashmiri spelling) is a variety of roasted meat dishes that originated in the Middle East. Kebabs consist of cut up ground meat, sometimes with vegetables an ...

, such as '' İskender kebap''. Pickled ''friggitelli'' can vary in color from bright yellow to bright yellow-green. They are sometimes briefly rinsed in cold water before serving to reduce the effects of the pickling brine on the taste.

References

Sources

* * {{Capsicum Cultivars Capsicum cultivars Chili peppers Italian cuisine

Cultivation

Culinary use

See also

References

Sources