05 Unique Ways To Use Banana Peppers

Introduction

These peppers are also called banana chilis, pickled banana peppers, or yellow wax peppers. Peppers derived from Hungary peppers. The taste is mild and sweet. The first time it appeared in America was in 1932. In supermarkets, it is mistakenly labeled as Hungarian Hot Wax Peppers. Although these peppers are called hot wax peppers, their taste isn't very hot.

It was later transformed from the original seeds by Corneli Seed Company in 1940. As a result, it reproduces the variety as a sweet, flavored pepper. Even though they're bright yellow and have a long, banana-like shape, their names come from yellow. Chili fritters (Milagai Bajji), a dish served on Indian menus, are made with banana chilies from Ooty.

What is Banana Peppers

A banana chili (pepper) is a medium-sized chili pepper. Unlike bananas, it doesn't taste like them. In the chili pepper family, it's medium sized. You'll love the tangy, mild flavor of banana pickled peppers.

Although it starts out yellow, it matures into red, orange, or green. It's great for pickling, stuffing, and raw ingredients. This cultivar comes from Capsicum annum (most common and widely cultivated in many North American regions).

Health Benefits of Banana Peppers

The Banana Chilis (Peppers) have many advantages as far as health is concerned. Taking banana chilis can speed up digestion due to their capsaicin content. There are several vitamins and minerals in it, as well as nutrients. One cup of banana chili contains 103 milligrams of vitamin C.

The peppers contain 92% of water, very little protein and fat, and 5% carbohydrates. In a 100 gram serving, it contains 100% of the Daily Value. A substantial amount of vitamin B6 is present at 28% DV, with no other micronutrients in significant amounts (table).

Banana peppers can help your stomach fight against ulcers and it helps to increase your metabolism. Bananas may also help relieve constipation and other digestive problems due to their high fiber content. However, it must be noted that in some cases health benefits of banana chilis can vary depending on how they are prepared and served.

Furthermore, it has a lot of Vitamin C, which is anti-oxidant. Additionally, it proved to be the best for the immune system and for the skin. It contains negligible amounts of sugar, carbohydrates, and fats. Thus, we can include Banana chilis in our regular diet as a part of a healthy diet.

How to grow Banana Peppers

Under some conditions, Banana chilies are easy to grow and maintain. There needs to be plenty of compost in the soil with a rich, well-draining texture. Each plant requires 30-40 cm of space. The growing season must be long and warm for them.

Plants must be grown indoors and transplanted after the last frost in colder climates. Mulch the soil well to retain moisture. If you live in a warm area you can plant banana chilis anytime. The best temperature is between 40 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, planting a banana chili indoors is a perfect way to start a plant. If you plan to grow this outside, it will take 40 to 60 days from indoors to shift to the outside area. The Banana peppers are harvested once they turn yellow.

A gardener must ensure that the seed must get plenty of sunlight. It requires 8 hours of sunlight per day. Moreover, for transplanting a tree, use the area where the plant requires sufficient sunlight.

Furthermore, the plant must be properly cared for. Banana chilis are at risk of pests such as cutworms, thrips, aphids, flea beetles, and whiteflies. If you find any of these pests, wash a plant with horticultural soap and throw away the pest.

Damp leaves create fungus. Use a drip irrigation system or water deeply to its roots to prevent disease. Be sure that the soil stays moist. Maintain a constant moisture level in the soil as much as possible.

Banana Peppers vs. Pepperoncini

Banana Peppers

There's a banana chili pepper in the chili pepper family that's medium-sized.

Native: Banana chili is a native to Hungary. It was first founded in Hungary.

Texture: In the first place, Banana chilis have waxy skin.

Taste: Banana chili has a sweet mild taste. They are zesty.

Heat: Banana chili has no heat.

Thickness: Banana chilis are thick in size.

Shape: Banana chilis have more pointer ends. It is long, tapered and curved.

Size: Banana chili is 2-3 inches long.

Color: Banana chili has a yellow tone.

Sodium: Banana peppers have low sodium.

Pepperoncini

There's a big difference between Pepperoncini peppers and Italian Pepperoncini peppers. It is more hot Italian chili peppers.

Native: Pepperoncini is a native to Italy and Greece.

Texture: The skin of pepperoncini, also called Italian peppers or Greek golden peppers, is soft and wrinkled.

Taste: Pepperoncini peppers are spicy and tangy, It gets sour when it gets more ripe.

Heat: Pepperoncini has a mild touch of heat.

Thickness: Pepperoncini peppers are not as thick as other peppers.

Shape: Pepperoncini peppers have rounded bottoms. It is short, wrinkled, and slightly curved.

Size: Pepperoncini peppers are 2-5 inches long.

Color: Pepperoncini are green to red in color when mature.

Sodium: Pepperoncini peppers have high sodium.

As for the topping purpose, Banana peppers are better, though both will provide you with a delicious experience whether you use it as a topping in pizza or with tacos or nachos. Banana chilis are better for stuffing purposes due to their thicker walls, whereas Pepperoncini lends themselves to raw eating or chopped to pieces or cooked into different dishes. Pepperoncini are better for garnishing than Banana chili.

Banana Peppers vs. Jalapeno

Banana Peppers

In the chili pepper family, the banana chili is a medium-sized pepper. Banana chilis are excellent options for topping pizza, salads, and sandwiches. Banana chilis have a history of a thousand years.

Native: Banana chili is a native to Hungary.

Taste: Banana chili has a sweet and mild taste. They are zesty.

Heat Level: The Banana chilis are less hot (500 Scoville Heat Units).

Menu: The Italian menu includes Banana chilis.

Size: Banana chili is 2-3 inches long. It is longer and thinner.

Season: Banana chilis are available in all seasons.

Availability: Banana chili cannot be available in every grocery store.

Color: Banana chilis are long and yellow.

Texture: Banana peppers have waxy skin.

Jalapeno

Jalapeno is a family of pod-type chili peppers. It is basically a cultivator of the species capsicum annuum. It is not common to use jalapeno peppers as toppings. Jalapenos are one hundred years old.

Native: Jalapeno is named after the city of Jalapa (Xalapa) in Veracruz.

Taste: Jalapeno pepper is very spicy.

Heat Level: Jalapeno peppers are considered very hot (8000 Scoville Heat Units). The hottest Banana Chili is at least five times milder than Jalapeno pepper.

Menu: The Mexican menu includes Jalapeno.

Size: Jalapeno is 2.5-3 inches long. It is shorter and thicker.

Season: Jalapenos are available in only one season unless you use a modern agriculture system.

Availability: Jalapenos are available in almost all grocery stores.

Color: Jalapeno peppers are small and green.

Texture: Jalapeno peppers have tough skin.

Jalapenos are popular in selected areas. Banana chilis and Jalapenos are rich in vitamin C and B6. Banana chilis are slender and cone-shaped, while Jalapenos have a round shape.

Banana Peppers Recipes

Stuffed Banana Peppers

Ingredients :

Ten banana chilis as required, depending on the size.

Olive Oil, 1 Tablespoon

Garlic powder, 1 Teaspoon

Pepper and Salt as per your requirement

Paprika, 1 Teaspoon

4 Ounce of cheese

Instructions:

Stuffed Banana chilis is one of the most common and most used recipes. Stuffed banana chilis are commonly used as toppings on pizza and sandwiches.

In the first place, you have to heat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cut your banana peppers in half lengthwise. In order to stuff the pumpkin, remove the seeds and pumpkin.

You can use parchment paper to make cleanup easier if you like.

Over medium heat, heat the oil in a skillet then add the chopped steak. Garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper should be added to the dish.

Cook the dish for about 5 minutes.

Fill the peppers with the beef mixture seasoned with salt and pepper. Add cheese to it.

Bake it for 15 minutes. You can also grill the stuff with banana chili for 15 minutes till the cheese melts nicely.

Top with chopped spicy chili flakes, green onion, and hot sauce.

Pickled Banana Peppers

Ingredients :

6 to 7 banana chilis as per your requirement

White vinegar, 1 cup

Pickling salt, 1 Tablespoon

Water, 1 cup

Dried Oregano, one teaspoon

Garlic, one clove

Honey, one tablespoon

Black peppercorns, one teaspoon

Dried Basil, one teaspoon

Instructions:

Cut the banana chilis into four pieces. Core out the banana chilis. Stuff them into a cleaned large jar.

Add water, salt, vinegar, garlic, oregano, honey, basil and peppercorns. Mix them in a large pan

After bringing the mixture to a boil, remove the heat.

Pour the brine over the banana chili slices in the jars after they become cool. Screw on the cap.

Though it can be ready to eat, it is preferable to refrigerate it for 24 hours.

Banana Peppers Relish

Ingredients :

4 seeded, chopped banana chili

Half-chopped green bell pepper

Half-seeded, chopped red bell pepper

One clove garlic

One small onion

One tablespoon Pickling salt

Apple cider vinegar, 2 cups

White sugar, 2 cups

Instructions:

Chopped banana chilis, green bell peppers, red bell peppers, onion, and salt in a mixing bowl

Mix the above items, cover them with plastic cloth, and wait for 2 hours.

Mix apple vinegar and white salt. Add the banana peppers to the pot and mix it well.

Wait for 30 minutes and let it cool for some time.

Put the relish in a jar and cover it with a cloth.

Meat-Based Variations

Ingredients :

3-4 small-sized yellow potatoes

Olive oil, 1 Tablespoon

Garlic, 2 cloves

Yellow Pepper, 1 medium-sized

Chopped Jalapeno pepper, 1

Chopped serrano banana pepper, 1

Ground beef, 1 pound

Beef, 4 cup

Chopped tomatoes, 2

Paprika and Cumin, 1 Tablespoon each

Instructions:

In a large pan, heat the oil. Add the Onion, Potatoes, and Peppers for about 7 minutes till it gets soft.

Add the garlic and ground beef to the mixture. Break up the beef with the chopper. Reduce the heat after some time.

Let it burn for 20 minutes till the potatoes get soft.

With extra peppers, spicy chili flakes, and lime juice, serve over rice or with tortillas. Add extra sauce.

Banana Peppers and Goat Cheese Flatbread

Ingredients :

Warm water, 3 to 4 cups

Dry yeast, 11/2 teaspoons

1 Tablespoon of olive oil

Unbleached flour, 13/4 cups

Whole Fennel seeds

1 teaspoon, Dried thyme

Instructions:

Take 3-4 cups of water into large bowls, sprinkle yeast, and blend them

Wait for 10 minutes to dissolve it, add herbs and oil

Add dough, add enough water so that the dough cannot stick

Shape the dough into the bowl and let the dough rise at a cool temperature

Cover the bowl with a towel for at least 3 hours

Mix red pepper, flex, olive oil, and garlic in a small bowl, and bake crust for 5-7 minutes

Bake flatbread until crust is crisp and cheese begins to brown

FAQ’s

Q . Banana Peppers: What is the reason behind such a name?

A. The name banana chilis/peppers comes due to their color and banana-like shape. The banana chilis have a different taste than bananas.

Q . Can banana chili change color?

A. All banana chilis can change color when they are fully ripe.

Q . How long does it take banana peppers to grow?

A. Banana chilis take around 60 to 75 days after they reach their full size. It changes color in the process. For instance, it will be converted from green to yellow in the whole process.

Q. How difficult is it to grow banana chili?

A. On the contrary, it is easy to grow. These mild peppers thrive in hot conditions.

Q. What is another name for Banana chili in India?

A. In India, the banana chilis are called “Ooty Chilis”. It mainly used to make Milagai Bajji (Chili Fritters)

Conclusion

In the final analysis, we can say that Banana chilis has a mild taste and is mostly used as toppings in sandwiches, pizzas, and salads. Again, it consists of high vitamin C and has a high fiber content that carries health benefits. Also, it can be either eaten raw or pickled. They have a good amount of nutrition and fewer calories so overall we can say that intake of Banana pepper is good for health.