What Are Block Peppers?

Description

• Block peppers refer to a type of pepper in the Capsicum annuum pepper family. Block peppers, also known as Hungarian block peppers or Hungarian semihot peppers, take approximately 60 to 85 days to produce fruit. Although peppers have often been referred to as vegetables on the culinary front because of their savory flavor, they are actually fruits because they contain seeds. Peppers grow best in warm climates with an extended warm season.

Color and Flavor

• Block peppers start as a green color. As the block peppers mature, they turn to a shade of yellow, orange and then red. The plant itself has green stems and leaves. It also produces white flowers before the peppers emerge. The flavor of these peppers is considered medium- to mildly-hot to hot. The spiciness of the pepper depends on what variety you get.

Size

• The peppers that the plant produces are typically 4 to 5 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide, but the size may vary slightly. The plants grow 18 to 24 inches high and should be planted 18 to 24 inches apart. These have four lobes on the fruit.

Care

• Keep your picked peppers fresh, retain flavor and prevent over-ripening by placing in a refrigerator for up to a week. The peppers have started to go bad when the skin starts to wrinkle and no longer have a shiny exterior. Wash the outer skin with cool water and remove skins before preparing them.

Uses

• Block peppers can be served fresh or you can stuff them with various ingredients. You can add them to salads, soups, salsa or stir fry. These can also be dried or pickled to be enjoyed later.