I first came across these delicious little peppers in Barcelona where they are served as tapas in bars and restaurants. I couldn’t get enough of them and was delighted to find they I can now buy them in Brisbane.
I bought some yesterday at the West End markets.
They are incredibly easy to prepare. I coated them in a little olive oil.
Then I cooked them in a hot pan for a few minutes.
…sprinkled them with salt flakes.
…and ate them.
They are sweet and delicious and very occasionally you get a hot one, which I did, but it wasn’t too hot.
Pimientos de Padron are a variety of peppers from Padron in northwestern Spain. They were originally grown in the 16th century by monks in the monastery of Convento Franciscano who brought them back from the Spanish colonies in South America. Since that time the peppers have been grown by the villagers…and their fame has spread.
Now they are also grown on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast hinterland by Richard Mohan and I can buy them at my local market…isn’t that wonderful?
Look at Richard’s website for more information.
Deb, such a coincidence . Saw a cooking show with Rick Stein the English celebrity chef, from Spain last night about all the different peppers and how to cook them – delicious must try.
By: Dianne CANT on November 28, 2015
at 10:26 pm
Get on down to the West End markets next Saturday and get some, they are delicious.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 28, 2015
at 10:32 pm
Aren’t they addictive – I have occasionally had a very hot one that caused me to do the “ooh ah” dance – but I still went back for more.
By: Jan on November 28, 2015
at 10:30 pm
I have only had one hot one and it wasn’t too bad. I am willing to risk it.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 28, 2015
at 10:33 pm
I saw that same show with Rick Stein the other night. They do look interesting and I am very impressed that they are so simple to prepare.
By: Lyn on November 28, 2015
at 10:37 pm
What a pity I missed the show. Anyway, these will become regular snacks for us.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 29, 2015
at 9:47 am
I agree they are absolutely delish – I first tasted them many years ago at Cutler & Co in Melbourne and interestingly, the pimientos were supplied by Richard – like you Deb I bought some yesterday and took them to a friends and the 4 of us gobbled them up – can’t wait for next Saturday
By: Anonymous on November 28, 2015
at 11:13 pm
Richard is very nice, I think I will be seeing him every week.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 29, 2015
at 9:48 am
Yum, will give that a go if we can get some here.
By: Kerry & Jim on November 29, 2015
at 12:28 am
They should grow in your area. Check your local markets.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 29, 2015
at 9:49 am
We love them too so simple and delicious plus Richard is such a delight! He is a regular at Noosa Farmers market when the peppers are in season.
By: Michelle Shaw on November 29, 2015
at 1:29 am
I am very pleased to have found him.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 29, 2015
at 9:49 am
Now you have to ger adidicted to the “piquillo ” peppers. Another Spanish classic…
By: Mulino Dominillo on November 29, 2015
at 6:16 am
I can’t wait to plant the seeds you gave me.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 29, 2015
at 9:50 am
I don’t know why you’ve made me laugh, but there’s something so fantastic about the simplicity of the recipe ending in “sprinkled with sea salt and ate them.” Those things that are quick and easy and involve little more than OO and SS (olive oil and sea salt) are, in my opinion, THE BEST!! I will have to try this.
By: The Daily Cure on November 29, 2015
at 7:38 am
You will have to wait for summer when they are in season. They are delicious.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 29, 2015
at 9:51 am
I first ate these in Galicia, Spain as a tapas- huge plates full and managed to grow them successfully once. I have finally purchased some seed and will give them another go this year, although the weather here can be a bit too hot and dry for them in Melbourne.
Yesterday I had lunch at Rockpool in Melbourne- they had Pimentos di Padron on the menu as a side plate to go with mains!!! Wrong place for these. So we ordered a bowl full as a starter. Lovely. They were nicely charred from the fire roasting, and served with sherry vinegar. Fortunately we could add the de riguer salt at the table. Hoovered them.
You are lucky to get them at farmers markets in Brisbane.
By: Francesca on November 30, 2015
at 2:15 am
I am very happy t have found them here. Good luck with growing them in Melbourne.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 30, 2015
at 6:02 am
They look like what we call “shishito peppers” here and they’re on menus everywhere. I prepare them just like you do. I just saw a recipe for an Asian beef stir fry dish using them-I’m going to try it.
By: paninigirl on December 1, 2015
at 1:28 am
I am so pleased I can get them here. A friend has given me some seeds in Italy, so I hope I can grow them at Casa Debbio.
By: Debra Kolkka on December 1, 2015
at 9:02 am
Ooh what a treasure to find and so simple! I find the idea of an occasional hot one quite fun! Some restaurants do that as a roulette sort of idea.
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on December 3, 2015
at 7:14 am