Until last summer, I’d never heard of nor seen padron peppers. And then, I couldn’t turn around without seeing a basket of them at every stand at the farmers’ market or on the menu of every restaurant here in Napa Valley. Originally from an obscure region in Spain, they’ve made their way to the U.S. in abundance and I hope they are around for a very long time.
Padron peppers look like a green, thick-skinned cross between a jalapeno and a habanero. They are exceptionally easy to cook and make a great snack with a glass of wine or as a side dish on the dinner table.
A few tips: If you wash the peppers, be sure to dry thoroughly and do not remove the stems. Also, use a thick-bottom, heavy skillet. I like to use my vintage cast-iron skillet.
—Lori Lyn Narlock
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