Cherry pepper

Cherry pepper is a moderately hot chili pepper, known for its round shape, thick flesh, and vibrant red color. It is used in pickling recipes and as a common ingredient to spice the dishes. 

Fresh cherry peppers are usually available during summertime. However, preserved or pickled cherry peppers are available throughout the year, and it is very convenient to enjoy them whenever needed.

What is cherry pepper?

Cherry peppers are medium hot peppers widely used as condiments. Moreover, you may find one of the popular peppers in the salad bars. 

Because of its unique ball-shaped structure, this chili pepper is often called ‘Cherry bomb pepper’. 

These are widely used to increase the spice level in pizza or hot dogs. Additionally, these are also popular bite-sized snacks. Furthermore, the crunchy, moist texture makes them excellent to enjoy as pickles. 

Like most varieties of pepper, the matured and ripened cherry pepper looks impressive with a deep red color. And a gorgeous, contrast-looking green-colored stem. 

An intro to cherry pepper

These inherited the name cherry peppers for their resemblance to cherry’s color and its shape. But the heat profile makes them a complete contrast to the natural cherry.

Cherry peppers belong to the Capsicum annuum family and taste mildly sweet. 

Its body is spherical that flattens at the bottom. It has a crispy texture and firm skin. Its flesh is moist and thick. The seeds are clustered in the middle, attached to their ribs. 

The rib and the seeds cover most parts and leave little hollow space inside the pepper.

What does it taste like?

Despite its heat profile, these do taste mildly sweet. When tasting at first, the palate may feel the sweetness. Later, the heat slowly starts spreading and may last a few minutes.  

The heat is not scorching but not tingling. (This is general observancy, and each individual's heat tolerance may vary). 

How hot are cherry peppers?

The cherry peppers measured at 2500-5000 SHU on the Scoville scale. These are hotter than the bell pepper, poblano, or ancho chilies.

It is generally nearer to jalapeno pepper’s heat(where jalapeno’s Scoville scale units range from 3000-7000 SHU).

What to do with cherry pepper?

There are numerous recipes out there to use cherry peppers in different ways. We look into some of the significant dishes that everyone would relish.

Salads. Toss them as whole or as sliced into the salads. This adds a luscious color, heat, and flavor.

Pickled. The thick, chunky texture makes it an excellent pickling ingredient. You may get the jars from the stores or make them at home. The pickling recipe is simple; to your surprise, it tastes like its counterpart from the stores.

Stuffed. The inner part of this cherry pepper is dense; hence, core them before stuffing. Stuffed cherry pepper tastes excellent and serves as finger food at a party.

Salsa. An aromatic addition makes the salsa taste delicious. And you will regret not trying this combo all these days.

How to store?

Do you get cherry peppers a lot from the farmer's market, or does your backyard garden provide you with a load of cherry peppers? Are you wondering how to store them up for the rest of the year? The good news is that there are multiple reliable ways. 

As roasted. Roast them in the pan over the stovetop.  On the other hand, you may also roast them in the oven. Later, freeze it to store it for up to six months.

As frozen. This pepper stays good when frozen as well. Store them as pitted or as a whole. Either way works.

By pickling. Another traditional way of storing the peppers. This lasts longer but needs proper technique. 

By drying. An easy method for all. 

Where can I find cherry peppers?

These are available in the farmer's market or the leading grocery stores. I often find my cherry peppers in our local Wegmans store. You may also get them as canned or pickled. Provolone stuffed cherry peppers are my favorite online store product. 

Check your pickle aisles in your grocery store, the salad bar, or the canned produce sections. It may be pickled as a whole pepper or as cherry pepper poppers.  

The sliced and pickled peppers are ready to toss in the salad or over the burgers. You may use whole peppers to make a quick stuffed snack.