Shishito Peppers – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What are shishito peppers?

Shishito pepper is a mild and sweet chili pepper with a bright green color that turns red as the pepper matures. It’s a popular summer appetizer or side dish, especially when roasted, flash-fried, or blistered. Scrunched and crinkled, they may not appear as attractive as their more even-shaped siblings, but their taste makes up for it.

Add sesame oil and a dash of soy sauce for a Japanese twist. Oven-roasted and coated with salt and lemon juice dressing, they become your tasty yet guilt-free snack. Packed with a slightly smokey flavor, they can even be served fresh, as a side dish, or in salads.

How hot is shishito pepper?

Although generally mild, some shishito peppers can take you by surprise. Around 10% of them may pack in some spicy punch. Shishitos usually have 100 to 1,000 heat units on the Scoville scale, which rates a pepper’s spiciness based on its capsaicin content. By comparison, jalapenos usually go from 2,500 to 8,000 Scovilles.

Where did shishito peppers originate from?

Shishito peppers originate from Japan, and the name “Shishito” is derived from the combination of “shishi,” which means “lion,”, and “tōgarashi,” which means “chili pepper.”

What is the nutritional value of shishito peppers?

Shishito peppers are very low-cal but still highly nutritious. They’re high in fiber and have a good mix of vitamins and minerals, including:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E
• B vitamins

Shishitos also contain capsaicin, a compound that makes peppers hot and is also beneficial for health. With virtually no fat and a low carb count, they make a nice summer treat for those that watch their carb intake or follow specialized diets such as being gluten-free.

How are shishito peppers grown?

Shishitos can be grown in containers or in the garden. Seedlings are usually grown indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost. When the weather gets better with temperatures above 70°F, seedlings are planted outdoors. They don’t like too hot, though—they might stop producing until the weather cools down.

When they reach 3–5in, they are at the peak of flavor, so that’s when they’re harvested. At this stage, they’re green. If left on the plant for longer, they’ll grow larger with thicker walls and will become red. You can use scissors to clip them off the plant more quickly.

When are shishito peppers in season?

Although available year-round, shishito peppers are in season during the summer and early fall. Harvest starts in late July and lasts until the first frost. They are usually picked while they still have a dark green color. Although maybe not to everyone’s taste, fully ripened shishitos are also edible. They’ll just have a bit tougher texture and could also be somewhat spicier.

How do you pick shishito peppers at the grocery store?

Typically 3in in length, shishitos are small, a bit crinkly, and wrinkled. Shishitos should be firm and shiny with no spots or blemishes. Watch out for the cap and the stem of the pepper—that’s where you’ll get a clue if it’s fresh or past its prime. The greener cap and stem, the fresher the pepper.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for shishito peppers via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for shishito peppers.

How to store shishito peppers

Keep shishito peppers in a paper or plastic bag in the warmest area of the refrigerator. If purchased when fresh, they can last in your crisper drawer for up to 2 weeks. Have some fresh leftover shishitos? Freeze them whole, and save for a little bit of summer during colder months.

How to tell if shishito peppers are bad

Shishito peppers should be firm when fresh. If they become soft, they’re most likely past their prime. If they become slimy, or you see mold developing on them, it’s time to throw the old ones away, and buy some fresh. Try Instacart for fresh produce same-day delivery, and have shishito peppers just as you want them delivered to your door.

What can I substitute for shishito peppers?

You’re cooking dinner, and the recipe calls for shishito peppers. What can you do if you’re out? Try some of these substitutes from Instacart chili peppers delivery.

Shishito’s closest relative is Padron pepper. They even look similar—many wouldn’t recognize the difference. Although they are of the same size and color, shishito is narrower and more wrinkled. Padron measures from 500–2,000 Scoville units, meaning they are somewhat spicier than shishitos.

Another alternative is the Anaheim pepper. It’s a mildly hot pepper that usually scores around 1,000 units on the Scoville scale. They also shift from green to red as they mature.

Spice up your everyday cooking with shishito peppers

Take your meals to the next level with this super-tasty yet highly nutritious veggie. Use them to perk up your dinner with more color and flavor. With Instacart’s fresh produce same-day pick-up, it’s easier than ever to up your gourmet game and make delicious party food that gets raved about. Try this healthy snack or side dish, and you are in for a real summer treat! Shop now for shishito peppers via Instacart.

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