La Peperonata is an incredibly delicious Italian summer dish made with slow-cooked bell peppers in a beautiful tomato sauce. This simple side dish can be served hot or cold, with meat or fish or as an antipasto with some char-grilled ciabatta.
6large bell peppers different colourssliced (around 900g-1kg)
1red onionfinely sliced
2garlic clovespeeled but left whole
1.5cupsjarred strained tomatoes (passata)(500g)
1/2cupwater(120ml)
2tbspcapers
1tspwhite wine vinegar
salt and pepperto taste
Instructions
Add 1 tbsp of olive oil to a saute pan or deep skillet on a medium heat. Once hot, add the onion and whole garlic cloves and saute, stirring often until the onion has softened (about 5 minutes).
Add the sliced bell peppers and stir to coat in the oil. Cover the pan with a lid and cook the peppers for 25 minutes until tender but not completely soft.
Add the strained tomatoes, water, caper, vinegar and a good pinch of salt and pepper and stir to mix everything together.
Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes or until the peppers are soft and the sauce has reduced. Taste to see if it needs any additional salt then serve as a side or antipasto.
Video
Notes
Cooking the peppers covered is important so they soften without burning. If you don't have a lid for your skillet then place a large baking sheet on top.
You can use any coloured bell peppers you like but don't use all green ones if you can help it because they aren't as sweet and have a more savoury flavour.
Instead of adding capers and vinegar you can add things like olives, red pepper flakes, fresh parsley or basil or leave them all out. How you flavour it is up to you!
You can use strained tomatoes, canned chopped or plum tomatoes (high quality) or fresh ripe tomatoes to make this. If using fresh tomatoes you'll need around 4 cups of freshly chopped tomatoes (roughly 600g).
The Peperonata will keep well in the fridge for around 3-4 days or can be frozen in suitable containers.