There are many ways of roasting peppers, on the barbeque, in the oven on a baking tray, or as my Zia Franca does it, right on the open flame of her gas stove top.
The trick to roasting a pepper is to make sure that you char it on all sides. You actually want the skin to look burnt. So don’t panic! You’re burning the skin and not the pepper. It will give the meat of the pepper a slightly smoky taste.
Roasted Peppers Zia Franca Style
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Ingredients
- 3 tbsp (45 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 cup (250 mL) walnut halves
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) black olives, pitted
- 1/4 cup (50 mL) capers, drained
- 2 anchovies, finely chopped (optional)
- 2 roasted red peppers, sliced into strips
- 1/2 cup (125 mL) dry bread crumbs
- 1 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Instructions
This recipe is so simple and delicious. In a saucepan, heat up the olive oil over high heat. Throw in the garlic. Keep an eye on it, and when it gets slightly brown, toss in your walnut halves, olives, capers and anchovies. The anchovies are optional; I’ve made this dish with and without them. If you’re using them, chop them finely. They’ll melt into the oil and give the dish loads of flavor.
After a minute or so, lower the heat to medium, add the roasted peppers, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring every so often. Turn off the heat and set the pan aside. Sprinkle in the bread crumbs and parsley and mix to combine. Let cool. Serve at room temperature.
Notes
There are many ways to roast peppers: on the barbecue, on a baking tray in the oven or, as Zia Franca does, right on the open flame of a gas stovetop. The trick to roasting a pepper is to make sure you char it on all sides. You actually want the skin to look burnt. Don’t panic! You’re burning the skin, not the pepper. It will give the meat of the pepper a slightly smoky taste. Once the peppers are fully roasted, put them in a paper bag and let them hang out. This gives them a steam bath and lifts the skin, making them easier to peel. Take them out of the bag and remove and discard the skin and seeds. You can run them under water to clean off any stubborn bits of charred skin and seeds. At this point, they’re ready to use in your recipe. Or, if they’re in season and you’re making lots, put them into freezer bags. They hold well, and in the middle of winter you’ll have freshly roasted peppers available in minutes.