I love peppers. Especially bellpeppers. The use, the flavor, the smell...it tantalizes me. I am growing some in my garden and I can't wait to use them in my dishes. Here are my top 5 reasons you should grow peppers this year.
1. The Color
The garden comes to life because of the many colors each pepper will display. The different varieties offer many hues of purple, red, orange, yellow, some pink and my favorite color GREEN!
2. The Shape
The shape of each pepper defines it's personality. Jalepeno peppers seem to be ready for squeezing, while bell peppers, give off "chop" vibes. I enjoy being able to bite right in to a shishito peppers and the strong scent of hot banana peppers, wards off many pest. Hot banana peppers are so prolific too. I have a freezer full of them.
3. The Versatility
Peppers are so versatile in what they can become. They can be grinded into fresh black or cayenne pepper. Chili peppers are great for turning into chili powder. Peppers can be frozen to use for later (remember to remove the seeds first). Roasted, stuffed and grilled. The possibilities are endless.
4. The Garden
A natural repellent is the great pepper. Some peppers have an aroma that is so strong that it wards off some garden intruders. For example, deer and squirrels will stay away from those strong scents of the jalepeno, hot banana pepper or cayenne. Snails shy away from cayenne pepper and some suggest sprinkling ground cayenne pepper on top of the soil. I'll let you know if that works.
5. The Flavor
Cooking with a pepper can take a dish from blah to BAM! Each variety comes with such charm. Some are spicy, some are sweet, some come to life after being grilled, braized or roasted. Others have a spice that "kicks in" as soon as you take the first bite, while others hold back and then "YIKES" here it comes. Sometimes a good sneak attack is good for the soul.
Anyhow give peppers a try this year in your garden. They won't fail you. They grow so well in warm temperatures and there are so many to choose from. I'm sure your garden and your family will appreciate a new veggie with such charm.
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Remember - Just grow something. You can't go wrong if you just start.