13 Heirloom pepper varieties available for 2014. Please note that there are different heat levels. Peppers are $3 each or 2 for $5.
Hot
Mustard Habanero- Productive 32" plants produce fruits that ripen from light green with a tinge of purple to mustard orange to bright orange. Not for the timid! 95-100 days from transplant. VERY HOT
Caribbean Red Habanero- For those who like it hot! These can be twice as spicy as the common orange habanero, so use caution as you enjoy the incredible warmth and rich, smoky-citrus taste of these lantern-shaped 2-inch fruit. Very ornamental, as well as perfect for spicing up a pot of chili or making killer hot sauce. A heavy producer! HOT
Joe's Long Cayenne- Originally from Calabria, Italy. Circulated through the Italian-Canadian seed saving community in Toronto before being sent to Joe Sestito in Troy, New York. Heavy yields of finger width thin-walled red peppers up to 12" long. Great for fresh eating or drying. 85 days from transplant. HOT.
Santa Fe Grande- Fiery hot conical peppers with thick, firm walls grow to 3½" long. Stunning fruits ripen from yellow to orange to red. Sturdy 3' plants with continuous heavy yields. Excellent for pickling, salsa, and hot pepper vinegar. Introduced in 1965 by Petoseed Co. 75-80 days from transplant. MEDIUM HOT
Jalapeno- Sturdy plants covered in cylindrical fruits that average 3" long. Fruits ripen from green to bright red. 70-90 days from transplant. HOT.
Ancho Gigantea- The standard Mexican variety for sauces and stuffing, excellent for chiles rellenos. Green-black heart-shaped fruits measure 4" long. Referred to as poblanos when fresh and anchos when ripened to red and dried. Distinctive rich flavor. 90 days from transplant. MEDIUM HOT.
Tabasco- This famous heirloom was introduced into Louisiana in 1848 and became the main ingredient in Tabasco Pepper Sauce. This pepper is very hot and has a delicious flavor. The plants grow up to 4 feet tall and are covered with small, thin peppers. Needs a warm summer or can be grown as a potted plant. Fruit ripen from green to orange, then red. 90 days from transplant. HOT
Fish Pepper- Nineteenth century African American heirloom. Two-foot tall plants have beautiful variegated foliage; 3" long fruits are striped and colorful. Traditionally used in oyster and crab houses around Chesapeake Bay. 80 days from transplant. HOT.
Sweet
Tolli's Sweet Italian
(Capsicum annuum) Sweet Italian heirloom named for Phil Tolli. Large, dependable yields of 5" long scarlet-red peppers. This is one of our all-around favorites for fresh eating, frying, and canning recipes. Great added to tomato sauces. 75-85 days from transplant. SWEET
Red Marconi
(Capsicum annuum) Prolific Italian heirloom prized for its gigantic sweet red fruits. Delicious 12" long peppers are excellent eaten fresh or fried. 70-90 days from transplant. SWEET
Quadrato Asti Giallo (Capsicum annuum) Large, blocky bell pepper from Italy. Green peppers ripen very slowly to golden-yellow. Thick crisp flesh with delicious sweet spicy flavor when either green or yellow. 70-80 days from transplant. SWEET
Jimmy Nardello's
(Capsicum annuum) Given to SSE by Jimmy Nardello whose mother brought the seeds to the U.S. when she immigrated with her husband Guiseppe from the Basilicata region of Italy in 1887. One of the very best for frying, delicious roasted apple flavor. Productive plants are loaded with glossy red 10" long peppers. 80-90 days from transplant. SWEET
Napolean Sweet
(Capsicum annuum) Eight-inch elongated bells are as mild as apples. Fruits stand upright on 2' plants and ripen from green to red. Best used when green or just turning to red. Listed in 1923 by L. L. Olds Seed Company and described as “Possibly the most productive of all the large peppers, bears consistently until frost. Remarkably early for a large fruited pepper.” Best 70-90 days from transplant. SWEET
Bull Nose Red Bell
Grown at Monticello by Thomas Jefferson and listed in 1863 by Fearing Burr. Crisp fruits ripen from green to red with an excellent flavor. Productive, sturdy plants. 55-80 days from transplant. SWEET
Descriptions and pictures are from Seed Savers Exchange or Baker Creek Heirlooms.
