Little Lion Heads

     Food scientists know them as Capsicum annuum.  But to the summer shopper they can be found in farmers' markets and well stocked grocery stores by the more familiar name, Shishito Pepper.  The Japanese named the pepper shishi, or lion because the puckered tip looks like the head of a lion.

     It's likely that Portuguese explorers brought the sweet and occasionally hot chilies to Japan from Central and South America several centuries ago.  "They're about 3 inches long and narrow with firm glossy skin,"  writes Layla Schlack in the August/September issue of Fine Cooking.  She further describes them this way, "They have vertical wrinkles and are a bit twisty--that's how you distinguish them from similar but spicier Padron peppers."


     Small and sweet with just the mildest bit of heat, these Japanese peppers are the perfect snack or appetizer.  In season currently, you might find them on menus in upscale restaurants, but they're just as easy to prepare at home.  Shishito peppers can be eaten raw, seeds and all, but they're usually grilled, roasted, or sauteed, blistering the outer layer, enhancing their sweet heat.  They're classically served with other Japanese ingredients, such as sesame seeds and soy sauce.


Monday: A shishito pepper recipe to try.