Sweet Italian Pepper

This corno-di-toro (“horn of the bull”) type of sweet pepper earned high marks from Seed Savers Exchange staff at a 2014 tasting at our Heritage Farm headquarters. Curved, tapered fruit mature from green to red, have thin walls, and taste very sweet (not hot). Erect plants grow 14-28"" tall and have sparse branching, green leaves and stems with light-purple nodes, and white flowers. Mature fruit reach 5-7"" long and 1.5-3"" wide. Introduced in 1987 by Johnny’s Selected Seeds of Albion, Maine, this variety has been shared within the Seed Savers Exchange Yearbook Exchange community ever since.

• Packet 25 Seeds
• Organic
• From the collection
• Sweet, corno-di-toro ("horn of the bull") type pepper
• Fruits grow to 5 - 7 inches long and 1.5 - 3" wide.
• Sweet.

This variety works for:

• Fresh eating
• Roasting
• Salsa

This pepper is: SWEET

Bell peppers are sweetest when they mature to their full color, but the crunchy green flesh is a great addition to many savory dishes. You can stuff peppers with quinoa, rice, or a mixture of cheese and beans and bake or cook diced pepper with eggs.

Roast your red peppers over a burner or under a broiler, then peel and puree with hummus or slice and add to grilled eggplant and mozzarella sandwiches with fresh basil.

Instructions - Sow seeds indoors ¼” deep. Peppers germinate best in warm soil, so gentle bottom heat may be helpful until seedlings emerge. Wait to transplant outdoors until soil is warm.

• Start Indoors: 8 weeks before last frost
• Germination: 14 Days
• Plant Outdoors: 12-24” Apart
• Light: Full Sun
  

Planting:

• Spacing: Plant seeds 1/4 inch deep, 18-24 inches apart in rows 24-36 inches apart.
• Sunlight: These peppers require full sun.
• Soil: They thrive in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0.
• Watering: Water regularly to maintain moist soil, but do not overwater.
• Harvesting: Harvest when the peppers reach the desired size or color.

Health Benefits:

• Vitamin C: They're high in vitamin C, supporting immune health.
• Vitamin A: They are a good source of vitamin A, promoting eye health.
• Heart Health: They contain heart-healthy nutrients like potassium and folate.
• Antioxidants: They are high in antioxidants, which help protect cells against damage.
• Capsaicin: They contain capsaicin, which has pain-relieving properties.