Jimmy Nardello Pepper: Heat, Flavor, Ingredient Pairings

The Jimmy Nardello pepper is a sweet, fruity, thin-skinned, horn-shaped pepper that ripens to a bright red when mature. It’s an heirloom variety, meaning it’s been passed down through generations of gardeners. The pepper is known for its unique flavor, which is described as sweet and candy-like, with little to no heat (0 to 500 Scoville heat units). It’s incredibly versatile in the kitchen, similar to an Italian frying pepper, perfect for frying, grilling, roasting, pickling, drying, and eating fresh. Its elongated body often curves and twists as it grows up to eight or nine inches long. 

How hot is the Jimmy Nardello Pepper?

Jimmy Nardello Peppers are considered a sweet pepper, though they can have a hint of warmth to them. Their Scoville heat range runs from 0 to 500 Scoville heat units (or SHU). That puts the Jimmy Nardello in the same very mild range as the banana pepper (0 to 500 SHU) and the pepperoncini (1 to 500 SHU). 

Compared to our reference point, the jalapeño, the Jimmy Nardello pepper is at minimum five times milder, if not much more. It’s closer to a bell pepper in eating experience than it is a jalapeño. 

Lastly, let’s compare the Jimmy Nardello to the popular Italian long hot pepper (a.k.a. the Italian frying pepper), as the Jimmy Nardello is closely related to it. The Italian long hot comes in slightly hotter (100 to 1,000 SHU), but it’s still tame overall (reaching only the upper-mild heat level of the poblano pepper.)

What’s the history of the name?

The Jimmy Nardello pepper has a rich history rooted in Italian immigration to the United States.

• The Nardello family: In the late 1800s, Giuseppe and Angella Nardello arrived in Naugatuck, Connecticut, from Southern Italy. They brought with them seeds from their Italian garden, including the seeds for a sweet frying pepper.
• Passing down the legacy: They grew these peppers to feed their family, saving the seeds year after year. Their son, Jimmy, the fourth child, inherited this tradition and continued to grow the peppers.
• A gift to the world: Before he died in the early 1980s, Jimmy donated some of the family’s heirloom seeds to the Seed Savers Exchange. They named the variety after him — the Jimmy Nardello Pepper.
• A taste of home: This story reflects the way immigrants bring a part of their past lives with them when they start anew in a different land. The Jimmy Nardello Pepper represents a connection to the Nardello family’s Italian heritage.
• Preserving a legacy: In 2005, Slow Food USA recognized the Jimmy Nardello Pepper’s cultural significance and added it to its “Ark of Taste,” a collection of endangered foods. This action helps to ensure that the pepper will continue to be grown and enjoyed by future generations.

What does the Jimmy Nardello Pepper look like and taste like?

The Jimmy Nardello pepper is long, thin-skinned, and bright red when mature (aging from green.) It has a horn shape and can grow up to eight to nine inches in length. Its elongated body often curves and twists as it grows, giving it a dramatic presence on the plate.

But the flavor is where this pepper truly shines. It has a ton of depth and changes quite a bit based on the way it’s cooked. Jimmy Nardello peppers, in general, have a sweet, fruity flavor that is described as candy-like. When eaten fresh, the mild, sweet, and fruity flavor shines. When dried, the flavor is still somewhat sweet, but also becomes savory and slightly smoky. And cooking the pepper tends to enhance the natural earthiness and smokiness lurking within as well. 

Cooking with Jimmy Nardello peppers

As these peppers have very little heat, there’s little concern about handling them. Still, if you prefer to be overcautious, wear kitchen gloves while handling them to protect from any capsaicin directly touching your skin (to protect from unintentional chili burn on your hands or eyes.) We also recommend reading up on treating chili burn when handling any peppers.

Because of their mild heat and deep flavor, Jimmy Nardello peppers are incredibly versatile in the kitchen. You can enjoy them in a variety of ways:

• Fried: The most popular method, showcasing their sweet, fruity flavor. As the Jimmy Nardello is related to Italian frying peppers, this is one of the most common use cases. And its thin skin makes it an excellent pepper for frying.
• Roasted: Roasting adds a smoky depth to the pepper’s natural sweetness. They make an excellent side for red meats, as that smokiness is a natural fit.
• Grilled: A delicious way to bring out the pepper’s caramelized notes, and giving the peppers a slight char, will enhance the natural smokiness within the chili. 
• Fresh: Enjoy their mild sweetness raw in salads, sandwiches, or as a snack.
• Dried: Develops a savory, smoky flavor, perfect for adding to spice blends or using in sauces. 
• Pickled: Preserves their sweet flavor and creates a tangy, crunchy treat.
• Stuffed: Fill them with various ingredients like cheese, rice, or quinoa, then bake or roast. Just note the pepper’s thin shape and thin walls that can lead to tearing if overstuffed. The best way to handle this is by slicing the chili open lengthwise and placing the stuffing of your choice within.

Jimmy Nardello common ingredient pairings

There’s an array of ingredients that work with this pepper and enhance its flavor. Here are but a few. The fun thing about Jimmy Nardello peppers is their complex flavor tends to shine in different ways based on the ingredient pairings, so experiment away! 

• Garlic: The robust flavor of garlic complements the sweet, fruity notes of Jimmy Nardello peppers, enhancing their natural sweetness and adding depth to dishes.
• Onions: Sweet or caramelized onions provide a savory contrast to the peppers’ sweetness, creating a balanced flavor profile that works well in stir-fries, salsas, or roasted dishes. Caramelized onions, in particular, pair very well with roasted or grilled Jimmy Nardellos.
• Olive Oil: The rich, fruity taste of high-quality olive oil enhances the peppers’ flavor and adds a smooth texture when sauteed or drizzled over roasted dishes.
• Basil: Fresh basil adds a fragrant, herbal note that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of Jimmy Nardellos, making it an excellent addition to salads, pastas, or Mediterranean dishes.
• Oregano: This herb brings an earthy, slightly peppery flavor that complements the sweetness of the peppers, making it a great choice for sauces, stews, or grilled dishes.
• Thyme: The subtle earthiness of thyme enhances the flavors of Jimmy Nardello peppers without overpowering them, making it a versatile herb for various preparations.
• Cumin: The warm, nutty flavor of cumin adds a layer of earthy complexity to the sweetness of the Jimmy Nardello, making it a fantastic addition to spice blends, chili, or roasted dishes.
• Feta Cheese: The tangy, creamy texture of feta cheese contrasts nicely with the sweet, mild flavor of the peppers, creating a delicious combination in salads or as a topping.
• Lemon Juice/Zest: The bright acidity of lemon juice or zest can elevate the flavors of the peppers, adding freshness and balancing their sweetness, perfect for dressings or marinades.
• Pine Nuts: Toasted pine nuts add a crunchy texture and a buttery flavor that complements the sweetness here, making them a great addition to pasta dishes or salads.

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