How many of you are familiar with the well-known Spanish Padron peppers? “Pimientos de Padrón, unos pican y otros no” is a common phrase in Spain, which translates to “Padron peppers, some are spicy, others are not.” The best part of this proverb is that it is correct!
You’ll consume this delectable dish without knowing whether or not it will burn your lips. As you might expect, the question of whether it’s hot or not is what makes it famous, but the food itself is delicious, so you’ll like it regardless of the outcome.
Today, we’ll discuss how to prepare Padron pepper tapas, how spicy they are, their origins, and much more!
Table of Contents
What Are Padron Peppers?
Padron is a small town located in Galicia’s northwest region. While Padron may be a little town, its impact on Spanish food is significant. They’re easily one of Spain’s most popular tapas dishes. Padron peppers are tasty for a good reason.
The peppers themselves are barely about 2 inches long. Larger peppers are occasionally found, but their small size makes them ideal for tapas or snacks. It’s uncommon to find one or two hot peppers in this mild pepper. After numerous plates of Padron peppers, it’s always interesting to watch who gets the hot one.
While the peppers are popular, we only saw them in the big cities like Madrid and Barcelona during our three years in Spain. They were hard to come by in Girona, where we lived. We cooked them at home when we had a hunger.
Where To Buy Padron Peppers?
Padron cooking peppers are not always simple to come by if you don’t live in Spain. We were surprised to discover Ireland.
Padron cooking peppers are available in the produce section of many US stores. In most cases, they get sold in half-pound or pound quantities. The proportions of the elements in the following list are not as important as other ingredients. For two tapas pieces, a half-pound is approximately right.
If your local supermarket doesn’t offer them, try a Latin market, which may have them, although Latin markets tend to specialize in Mexican and Central American cuisine rather than Spanish.
Key Ingredients To Make Padron Peppers
There are only three ingredients in this recipe for Padron peppers. Most Padron recipes should call for three ingredients.
- Washed and dried Padron peppers
- If you can find it, use Spanish olive oil.
- Maldon or rock salt preferred
How To Make Pardon Peppers – Stovetop
Making Pimiento de Padron on the stovetop in a skillet or frying pan is the more conventional method. We prefer to cook using a cast-iron skillet.
Warm the skillet over high heat before adding the peppers, then reduce to medium heat. You want it to be hot, but not to the point of burning.
Add the oil once the skillet is heated. Add the peppers after 2-3 minutes. Toss them with rubber tongs regularly to allow them to cook, or blister, on all sides. The peppers will scream and pop. Be cautious since they are expelling the heat getting stored up inside. If a pepper leaks steam, step aside and avoid crouching over the pan.
These peppers got cooked in an Uno Casa Cast Iron Skillet. They have a two-skillet set that can be used in the oven as well as on the stovetop. The smaller of the two is ideal for making this dish. When cooking the peppers, it warms up beautifully and stays hot. Cast iron can also aid in the blistering process.
How To Make Pardon Peppers – Air Fryer
In the air fryer, cooking Padron peppers is a little easier. It’s not quite as authentic, but it’s more hands-off and allows you to work on other Spanish tapas while the air fryer is heating up.
Warm up the air fryer. Put the peppers in a basin and spritz them with olive oil spray or toss them in plain olive oil while it’s cooking up. Add the peppers to the basket after the preheating is complete.
Preheat the oven to 330 degrees Fahrenheit (165 degrees Celsius) and set the timer for 8 minutes. Halfway through, check the status and shake. It’s normal to hear the peppers start to cry a little. Blackening the blistered Padron peppers is not recommended. As they cool, they tend to darken.
Frequently Asked Questions About Padron Peppers
Are Padron peppers hot?
No, not all Padron peppers are hot. Many are mild. The heat level of a Padron pepper can vary greatly, even within the same batch of peppers. The best way to determine the heat level of a Padron pepper is to try one for yourself.
Can I eat Padron peppers raw?
Yes, you can eat Padron peppers raw. Just wash them and slice them up. You can also cook them, which is how most people eat them. To cook Padron peppers, heat a pan on medium heat and add oil. Once the oil is hot, add the peppers. Cook for a few minutes until they are charred. Serve with salt.
What is special about Padron peppers?
Padron peppers are a variety of chili pepper that originated in the municipality of Padrón in northwestern Spain. The peppers are typically mild, but one in every ten peppers is spicy. They are often used in Spanish cuisine, either fried or pickled.
Conclusion
Padron peppers originate in Galicia, specifically in the municipality of Padron, where they can now be found in more areas (but still not many). In Galicia, Padron peppers grow near the rivers, Ulla and Sar.
Padron peppers often get used in Spanish cuisine as a garnish or ingredient in dishes where a bit of heat is desired but not overwhelming flavor. They can be served as a side dish or an appetizer and often get served with aioli or other dipping sauces.
This article guided you through the key ingridients to prepare Padron peppers and its recipie. Now you are good to go.
