Hi all,
I must say that peppers for some reason are some of the coolest vegetables to watch grow. The variety in taste based on color, and the vast amount of spices we can engender from hot peppers…I simply don’t know how most talented cooks could survive without this vegetable. In addition to some useful resources I found which compare how long different colored bell peppers will last, I thought I would include some tips about how to store peppers, both long and short-term. Lastly, there is quick-fix tasty looking sandwich recipe involving peppers and portobello mushrooms.
How to tell when peppers have gone bad
You can usually tell by looking or feeling if they are going bad. Firm peppers, regardless of color, are a clear indication that they are still good. One common sign of peppers getting old, is if they begin to reveal wrinkles and a softer skin. You can still cook with these peppers, but they will not be very desirable raw. Soon after they become soft, they will start to become slimy, and mold will begin to develop. Sliced bell peppers start to become moist on the cut side of the vegetable, which will further result in mold.
How to store peppers to extend shelf life
For a longer shelf life, it is ideal to store them whole in the vegetable bin of the refrigerator. Once a pepper is cut, it should be sealed in a plastic bag and used within a few days. For a longer term option, chopped peppers may be frozen in a freezer safe container; chop them onto a cookie tray and briefly freeze the tray before storing them in a freezer safe bag. This method will prevent the peppers from forming a large frozen ice ball. Peppers will develop ice crystals quite quickly so it is best to use them as soon as possible. Defrosted peppers will be soft, thus more ideal for cooking.
| Peppers Expiration date | Refrigerator |
|---|---|
| Life-span before going bad | |
| Fresh (Whole) Green Bell Peppers | 2-3 Weeks |
| Fresh Red Bell Peppers (Whole) | 1-2 Weeks |
| Fresh Orange Bell Peppers | 1-2 Weeks |
| Fresh Yellow Bell Peppers (Whole) | 1-2 Weeks |
| Cut Bell Peppers (any color) | 1-3 Days |
| Frozen Chopped Bell Peppers | 4-6 Month
|
Grilled Portobello, bell pepper, goat cheese sandwiches from Myrecipes.com
Instructions
Marinate portobello mushroom caps and sweet bell peppers in homemade balsamic vinaigrette, then grill on a flattened Kaiser roll for a panini-style sandwich. It is an easy weeknight meal that can be prepared on the grill, with an indoor grill pan, or in a skillet.
This post is by Matt Eiland who is in his first year as one of the Farm Apprentices at Moose Hill. In addition to the weekly pick-up posts, Matt has been sharing stories from the fields, ways to care and store for the crops, and other helpful insights.
Awesome post! I really love reading articles like this one. Thank you so much for posting!