Peperonata
A classic Italian sweet pepper stew, where colorful bell peppers are slowly simmered with sweet onions and ripe tomatoes until tender and flavorful. This versatile dish can be served as a side, a topping, or even a light main course.
🧂 Ingredients
- 6 Bell peppers(A mix of colors (e.g., red, yellow, orange) is recommended for visual appeal and varied sweetness.)
- 2 Yellow onions(Medium-sized.)
- 400 g Canned diced tomatoes(Undrained. Good quality canned tomatoes will provide a rich base.)
- 3 cloves Garlic(Minced or thinly sliced.)
- 4 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper(Freshly ground is best.)
- small handful Fresh basil leaves(For garnish and flavor, torn or roughly chopped.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the vegetables: Wash the bell peppers, remove the stems, seeds, and membranes. Slice them into roughly 1/2-inch wide strips. Peel the onions and slice them thinly, pole to pole. Mince or thinly slice the garlic cloves.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 2
Sauté the onions: Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat (around 175°C / 350°F). Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened and translucent, about 8-10 minutes. Do not let them brown significantly.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 3
Add garlic and peppers: Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Add the sliced bell peppers to the pot. Stir to coat them with the oil and onions. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peppers begin to soften slightly.
⏱️ 7 minutes - 4
Simmer the stew: Pour in the canned diced tomatoes (with their juice). Stir everything together. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the peppers are very tender and the liquid has reduced slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
⏱️ 30-40 minutes - 5
Season and finish: Uncover the pot. Taste the peperonata and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. If the mixture seems too liquidy, you can increase the heat slightly and cook uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce it further. Stir in most of the fresh basil, reserving some for garnish.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 6
Serve: Serve the peperonata hot, warm, or at room temperature. Garnish with the remaining fresh basil leaves.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The key to great peperonata is slow cooking to allow the flavors to meld and the vegetables to become meltingly tender.
- ✓This dish is often even better the next day, as the flavors have more time to develop.
- ✓Peperonata is incredibly versatile. Serve it as a side dish with grilled meats or fish, spoon it over polenta or crusty bread, or use it as a topping for bruschetta.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of capers along with the tomatoes for a briny kick.
- Stir in 1/2 cup of pitted Kalamata or green olives during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
- For a richer flavor, add a splash of red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar at the end of cooking.