Colorful Holland Tinker Bell Peppers
Estimated Inventory, 2 lb : 0
Description/Taste
Colorful Tinkerbell peppers are very small in size, averaging 3-5 centimeters in length and three centimeters in diameter, and are globular and square in shape with a slight taper to a rounded end, 3-4 lobes, and a fibrous, green stem. The smooth skin is firm, glossy, and colorful with pale-colorful flesh that is juicy, crisp, and succulent. Inside the flesh, there is a hollow cavity that contains very small, cream-colored seeds and a thin, spongy membrane. Red Tinkerbell peppers are crunchy with a mild, sweet, and fruity flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Colorful Tinkerbell peppers are available year-round, with a peak season in the spring through fall.
Current Facts
Colorful Tinkerbell peppers, botanically classified as Capsicum annuum, are tiny, edible fruits that are members of the Solanaceae or nightshade family. Also known as Holland mini bell peppers, Colorful Tinkerbell peppers are found on a small bushy plant that can grow up to sixty centimeters in height and produces 20-40 petite peppers in one season. Colorful Tinkerbell peppers were originally bred in greenhouses in Holland from a bell pepper and hot pepper, with the intentions of creating a small pepper with a sweet flavor. These sweet peppers did not inherit the heat-inducing chemical known as capsaicin from its hot pepper parent as they contain a recessive gene from their bell pepper parent that eliminates and prevents capsaicin. Colorful Tinkerbell peppers are favored by chefs and home cooks for their small size, sweet flavor, and crunchy texture.
Nutritional Value
Colorful Tinkerbell peppers contain some vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, fiber, potassium, and manganese.
Applications
Colorful Tinkerbell peppers are best suited for raw preparations as their sweet flavor and crunchy texture are showcased when used fresh. They are most commonly used as a bite-size container and are stuffed with cheeses, meats, and grains as an appetizer. They can also be filled with dips, sliced and displayed on a vegetable tray, or chopped for green salads. In addition to fresh preparations, Colorful Tinkerbell peppers can be lightly cooked and layered into quesadillas or sandwiches, chopped into a stir-fry, or sautéed in a peperonata. Colorful Tinkerbell peppers pair well with ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, peas, parsley, cilantro, cucumbers, jicama, onions, polenta, saffron, cinnamon, and pancetta. For optimum flavor and texture, the pepper should be used within one week and stored in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Colorful Tinkerbell peppers are a popular garden variety as their small size allows them to be grown in greenhouses or in containers in a shaded, protected area outside. These peppers have a short-growing cycle, produce a large number of fruits, and provide a sweet and crunchy snack best suited for fresh eating.
Geography/History
Tinkerbell peppers are native to Holland and are a relatively new variety bred for their small size and sweet flavor. Today Colorful Tinkerbell peppers are grown in the Netherlands and Spain and can be found at specialty markets and farmers markets in Europe, Asia, and North America.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Colorful Holland Tinker Bell Peppers. One is easiest, three is harder.
No Recipes | Sweet Pepper Upside-Down Cake | |
OMG Food | Grilled Zucchini and Tinkerbell Pepper Wraps with Tzatziki | |
Barbells and Bellinis | Thai chicken Taco |