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:
- Peel the potatoes and cut them lengthwise into slices about 1/4 inch thick. Cut these slices in half to form large wedges.
- 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.
- If using onion, peel and thinly slice it.
- Heat a generous amount of olive oil (about 1/4 inch deep) in a large, deep skillet.
- When the oil is hot, add the peppers and potatoes together. Cook uncovered for about 20 minutes, turning often with a spatula.
- 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.
- 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!
