Variety
Sweet Palermo
The long Italian sweet pepper — extraordinary flavour, thin walls, perfect for roasting
Sweet Palermo is a long, pointed Italian-style sweet pepper that many experienced growers consider the best-flavoured sweet pepper available. The thin-walled, elongated fruit ripens from pale green through orange to red and is intensely sweet with almost no bitterness even when eaten green. Highly productive under glass and one of the most consistently praised varieties for kitchen use.
Flavour
Exceptionally sweet with a clean, bright flavour that surpasses most block bell peppers for raw eating. The thin walls give a lighter, more delicate texture than block varieties. The flavour intensifies dramatically when roasted — the thin skin chars quickly and the flesh becomes intensely concentrated and silky.
In the kitchen
Outstanding roasted whole over open fire or under a broiler until completely charred. The thin walls mean they can be roasted faster than block peppers. Peel and dress with olive oil, garlic, and flaky salt for a simple antipasto. Also excellent raw in salads or stuffed with ricotta and herbs as a starter.
Growing
F1 hybrid. Grow under glass in the UK in the same way as California Wonder but note the vigorous F1 growth — plants can reach 90cm+ and need good support. Very high yields. Harvest from green (which is sweet, unlike many varieties) or allow to ripen to orange and red. One of the most productive sweet pepper varieties for UK greenhouse conditions.