Calabrian-Style Peppers and Potatoes: A Delicious Italian Side Dish”

Looking for a simple yet flavorful side dish? Try this Calabrian-style peppers and potatoes recipe, known in Italy as “pipi e patati.” This easy summer side dish pairs wonderfully with both meat and fish main courses.

In this recipe, bell peppers and potatoes are sliced and cooked in a pan with extra virgin olive oil. The secret to this dish’s deliciousness lies in choosing high-quality, seasonal ingredients. While it’s a specialty of Calabria in southern Italy, you can achieve great results anywhere by using fresh, in-season produce.

You can also add other ingredients like red onions or diced fresh tomatoes to enhance the flavor further. This Calabrian-style peppers and potatoes dish will surely win everyone over with its genuine, typically Mediterranean taste. Give it a try and let the aromas and flavors of Calabria transport you!

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs (700g) bell peppers
  • 1.3 lbs (600g) potatoes
  • Extra virgin olive oil, as needed
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1/2 red onion (optional)

How to Calabrian-Style Peppers and Potatoes:

  1. Peel the potatoes and cut them lengthwise into slices about 1/4 inch thick. Cut these slices in half to form large wedges.
  2. Wash the bell peppers, remove the stem, and cut them into rings of the same thickness as the potatoes. Remove the seeds and white membranes.
  3. If using onion, peel and thinly slice it.
  4. Heat a generous amount of olive oil (about 1/4 inch deep) in a large, deep skillet.
  5. When the oil is hot, add the peppers and potatoes together. Cook uncovered for about 20 minutes, turning often with a spatula.
  6. When the peppers and potatoes are well browned, the dish is ready. If you’re adding onion, spread it evenly over the pan and cover with a lid. Let it steam for 2-3 minutes until softened, then turn off the heat.
  7. Drain the vegetables with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.

Serve this Calabrian-style peppers and potatoes dish hot or at room temperature as a delicious side. It can be stored in the refrigerator for a day or two in an airtight glass container.

Enjoy this taste of southern Italian cuisine in your own home!