Bring the bright and tangy flavors of Southern Italy to your favorite Italian dishes with Tutto Calabria chili peppers! An easy way to give your dishes a little kick, the magic of hot chili peppers is how they balance other flavors—briny, rich, sweet, and salty—with just the right amount of heat. These fresh, locally grown peppers reflect the distinct characteristics of the Calabrian region where they have been cultivated for hundreds of years. Tutto Calabria uses time-honored recipes with wholesome, high quality ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil and naturally organic chili peppers.
Here are five delicious recipe ideas to use Calabrian hot peppers!
Ziti with Sopressata, Fontina Cheese, and Chili Peppers
An essential for your pantry, chili peppers help bring hearty pastas to life, especially when paired with tomato-based sauces. Make ziti with sopressata and fontina cheese your favorite weeknight meal when you lightly sauté the peppers in oil and garlic. Once the flavors become aromatic, add the tomatoes and soppressata for a rich flavor that smoothens the acidity. Then, melt in the fontina cheese for a creamy and satisfying sauce with a hint (or more!) of spice.
Bucatini with Lemony Carbonara
Chili peppers bring intensity to elevate soft, creamy flavors. A classic Italian dish, bucatini with lemony carbonara gets a bright citrus lift with lemon juice and zest. It all comes together with rich pancetta and the spicy, pungent heat of chili peppers, which help temper the acidic flavors. Garnish the pasta dish with parmesan cheese and say buon appetito!
Add Heat to Your Favorite Sandwich Variations
Along with your favorite pasta dishes, chili peppers also add a gourmet touch to classic Italian sandwiches. Hot long chili peppers from Tutto Calabria are the perfect size and shape for hiding between two pieces of crusty bread. The heat of the peppers helps to mellow the rich brininess of cured meats like prosciutto, salami, and the like. Just add a few slices of Italian cheese and a pickle for an easy to make sandwich that packs a punch of flavors in every bite.
Spice up Your Pizza
A quintessential Italian comfort food, pizza gets a colorful and spicy twist with hot round cherry chili peppers as a topping. Pair it with other flavorful toppings like pepperoni and chunky garlic, which come together with melted cheese, tomato sauce, and baked dough for a satisfying bite.
Spicy Spaghetti Sauce
An excellent flavor enhancer, Italian chili peppers are also an essential ingredient in spaghetti with garlic and oil, a traditional Italian dish from the region of Abruzzo. What gives this simple pasta recipe a boost of flavor is the addition of crushed hot chili peppers, which helps enhance the other herbs and seasonings. Another way to bring warmth and complexity to your pasta dish is with Tutto Calabria’s Hot Extra Virgin Olive Oil, infused with dried chili peppers.
Variety is the spice of life, especially when you cook with Italian chili peppers from Tutto Calabria! Add them to your pantry and get ready to transform your favorite foods, from meats to salads to pastas, into satisfying and flavorful dishes that everybody will love.