When red peppers are plentiful or there is a deal on them, I will roast them and then put some in a plastic quart bag and freeze them. Later, I can use them in several recipes which include them. One of my favorite recipes using roasted red peppers is roasted red pepper soup. https://mymomlikestocook.com/2015/06/13/roasted-red-pepper-soup/

This month I went to the Asheville Farmer’s Market to get tomatoes for canning. For some reason, this year canning tomatoes have been a feature at the market and have been selling for the ridiculous price of 10$ for a 25 pound box.

I bought my bargain canning tomatoes and spied a big basket of red peppers which were also 10$. Of course, it was too tempting to pass up. I gave some of the peppers away but roasted most of them and incorporated them into the tomato sauce I was planning to make, which is why I was at the Farmer’s Market in the first place. But, the expression “less is more” might apply here. Or, “be careful what you wish for”

Roasting peppers is easy, but a bit work intensive as you need to remove the stems, seeds, and membranes and then after they are roasted you have to skin them. One way to facilitate the skinning of the peppers is to place them in a paper sack for about 10 minutes which helps to loosen them. Processing twenty pound of bell peppers sort of brought home the fact that they do take a bit of time.

Ingredients

Bell peppers

Baking sheet lined with foil.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Cut the peppers into section, remove stems, seeds, and membrames.

Put the peppers, skin side up, on the foil lined baking sheet.

Roast for about 20 minutes in the preheated 450 degree oven

Once you have roasted the peppers you will appreciate using the foil. They are not called “sweet peppers” for nothing. As they roast the sides will become a bit caramelized and sticky.

You can put the peppers in a paper sack which will make them sweat and easier, perhaps, to peel, or you can let them cook a bit and proceed with the peeling.

Once they are peeled you can freeze them or store them in the refrigerator in an air tight container.