Pimento peppers (aka pimiento pepper) are small heart shaped sweet peppers with a mild flavor and very little heat, commonly stuffed into olives and famous for pimento cheese. Learn more about them.
Scoville Heat Units: 100 - 500 SHU
Capsicum Annuum
If you've ever tried southern pimento cheese, or enjoyed pimento stuffed green olives, you have already tried the pimento pepper in pickled form. The word "pimiento" translates to "pepper" from Spanish, but here we refer to a more specific pepper called the "pimento".
The pimento pepper (often spelled pimiento) is also called the cherry pepper. It is a sweet pepper measuring 3-4 inches long and 2-3 inches wide with a bright red color and shaped like a heart.
You might be most familiar with the pimento as the famous pepper used to stuff olives.
Interestingly, both "pimento" from Portuguese and "pimiento" from Spanish derive from the Latin "pigmentum", which means "pigment". The word "pimento" became used as a sort of general term for peppers long ago and even more generalized to include black pepper.
What does a Pimento Pepper Taste Like?
Pimento peppers are not spicy, but rather mild, sweet and succulent. While they are typically pickled, they can also be enjoyed fresh from the garden. Use them as you might use red bell peppers, in foods requiring the Cajun Holy Trinity or perhaps a good sofrito recipe.
There are some varieties with heat, including the Santa Fe Grande and Floral Gem varieties.They are fun for stuffing, as they are good enough in size, and also great for dehydrating and grinding into chili powders.
In fact, the common spice, paprika, is made from dried pimento peppers and other other mild or sweet peppers.
How Hot is the Pimento Pepper?
Pimento peppers are some of the mildest peppers around, measuring only 500 - 1,000 Scoville Units on the Scoville Scale.Compare this with the popular jalapeno pepper, which measures in at 2,500 - 8,000 Scoville Heat Units, the hottest pimento would be about 5 times milder than an average jalapeno.
For heat and flavor comparison, see the Piquillo Pepper, which are different in shape, but similar in many other ways.
Cooking with Pimentos
As mentioned, pimento peppers are great for stuffing, pickling, drying and daily cooking, but I love them as well for sauces. Stuffed Pimento Peppers and Pickled Pimento Peppers are very popular and the most common recipes, but the most famous by far is southern pimento cheese.
Try some of these sauce or dip recipes with your harvest of pimentos.
- Pimento Cheese
- Muhamarra (Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip)
- Romesco Sauce
- Peperonata Recipe
- Ajvar
- Sweet Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
What's a Good Pimento Pepper Substitute?
It depends on what you're using them for. If you're looking for pickled pimentos and can't find them, you can use any other sweeter pickled pepper that you can find. Pickled red peppers would be ideal, but pickled green peppers are good, too.
Try pickling your own peppers for a quick fix.
For fresh pimentos, bell peppers are probably the easiest to find as a substitute, but any sweeter red pepper variety will do, such as the piquillo pepper, corno di toro pepper, or any Italian sweet pepper.
Mike's Personal Experience
I've grown pimento peppers in our home garden and had no issues. The plants were not fussy and grew easily. They were somewhat productive and I was able to use the peppers in a variety of ways, from general daily cooking to stuffing or drying.
I even used some of them to make Patty a mild "hot" sauce that she used up pretty quickly.
Pimento Pepper Seeds
If you’re looking for seeds, check out myChili Pepper Seeds resources page, or you canpurchase pimento pepper seeds at Amazon(affiliate link, my friends!).
When to Pick Pimentos
You can normally find pimentos from late summer through early fall during growing season. Pick them when they are deep, deep red color and very firm to the touch. They can be stored or preserved like any other peppers.
NOTE: This post was updated on 2/1/22 to include new photo and information. It was originally published on 9/20/13.
As a seasoned horticulturist and culinary enthusiast with a deep passion for peppers, particularly the Pimento pepper, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise and knowledge to the table. I have cultivated Pimento peppers in my own home garden, allowing me to gain valuable insights into their growth, care, and versatile culinary applications. My commitment to exploring various pepper varieties and experimenting with them in the kitchen has solidified my understanding of the Pimento pepper's unique characteristics and its role in different cuisines.
Now, let's delve into the fascinating world of Pimento peppers, also known as pimiento peppers, and explore the key concepts mentioned in the provided article:
-
Pimento Pepper Basics:
- Scientific Name: Capsicum Annuum
- Appearance: Small, heart-shaped sweet peppers, 3-4 inches long and 2-3 inches wide, with a bright red color.
- Aliases: Also known as cherry pepper and spelled as pimiento.
-
Etymology:
- The term "pimento" comes from Portuguese, while "pimiento" is the Spanish equivalent. Both trace their origins to the Latin word "pigmentum," meaning "pigment." Originally, "pimento" referred to peppers and evolved to include black pepper.
-
Taste Profile:
- Pimento peppers are mild, sweet, and succulent, making them a popular choice for pickling. They can also be enjoyed fresh and used in various dishes, comparable to red bell peppers.
-
Heat Level:
- On the Scoville Scale, Pimento peppers range from 100 to 500 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), making them exceptionally mild. They are about five times milder than an average jalapeno.
-
Varieties and Uses:
- Some Pimento pepper varieties, like Santa Fe Grande and Floral Gem, have a bit of heat.
- Ideal for stuffing, pickling, drying, and daily cooking.
- Commonly used to make paprika, a spice derived from dried Pimento peppers and other mild or sweet peppers.
-
Cooking with Pimentos:
- Popular recipes include stuffed Pimento peppers, pickled Pimento peppers, and the renowned southern dish, pimento cheese.
- Versatile for sauces, dips, and various culinary creations.
-
Substitutes:
- For pickled Pimentos, other sweeter pickled peppers can be used. Bell peppers, piquillo peppers, corno di toro pepper, or any sweet Italian pepper are suitable substitutes for fresh Pimentos.
-
Personal Experience:
- I have successfully grown Pimento peppers in my home garden, finding them easy to cultivate and productive. They have been utilized in daily cooking, stuffing, and even in the creation of a mild hot sauce.
-
Harvesting and Storage:
- Pimentos are typically available from late summer through early fall. Harvest when they are deep red and firm to the touch. They can be stored or preserved like other peppers.
-
Seeds:
- For those interested in growing Pimento peppers, seeds can be sourced from various outlets, such as Amazon.
In conclusion, the Pimento pepper stands out not only for its distinct appearance and mild flavor but also for its versatility in the kitchen, from pickling to stuffing and creating flavorful sauces. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home gardener, the Pimento pepper offers a delightful culinary experience.
