Pepper of the Week - Banana Pepper

The banana pepper (also known as the yellow wax pepper or banana chili) is a medium-sized member

Banana Pepper - Yellow Wax Peppers

of the chili pepper family that has a mild, tangy taste. While typically bright yellow, it is possible for them to change to green, red, or orange as they ripen. It is often pickled, stuffed or used as a raw ingredient in foods. It is a cultivar of the species Capsicum annuum. Its flavor is not very hot (0–500 Scoville units), and as is the case with most peppers, its hotness depends on the maturity of the pepper, with the most ripe being sweeter than younger ones.





A mature fruit will be about 2-3 inches (5–8 cm) in length and have a curved shape and yellowish color similar to a banana, giving rise to the fruit's common name. Peperoncini are often erroneously referred to as banana peppers and immature Hungarian wax peppers are frequently mistaken for them. It's not uncommon for Hungarian wax peppers to be sold in bunches of banana peppers providing more heat and less sweetness than would be expected.



The plant requires full sun, like other Capsicum annuum varieties, and should be treated the same as

Banana Pepper Plant

most other plants in the pepper family. Plants can be grown from seed and cuttings. The hot varieties of Banana pepper are called Hungarian Wax Peppers. Cultivars include Early Sweet Banana, Hungarian Yellow Wax, Sweet Banana, Sweet Hungarian. A mature plant will reach 1 to 2 feet tall and can be grown in many climates, but prefer warmer climates.






Banana peppers are an optimum food for inclusion in weight loss diets, containing low amounts of calories, fat, and sodium. They are also a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, potassium and a very good source of vitamin C. The mild heat associated with them makes it ideal for adding to lighter fare such as salads in order to make them feel more filling.




Serving styles
* Pickled banana peppers are commonly sold sliced and used to garnish pizzas, sandwiches and Greek salads.
* Pickled and stuffed banana peppers are common inclusions on Antipasto bars filled with prosciutto and/or cheese.
* Stuffed banana peppers are served warm with a variety of Italian sausage and cheeses.
* Chopped or diced banana peppers are used in many relishes and salsas to add sweetness with other peppers providing heat.
* Banana peppers may be jellied along with other hot green peppers such as jalapeños.