SEED- Pepper Italian Sweet Heirloom Ausilio Thin Italian, Jimmy Nardello, Lombardo, Sweet Italian:
### 1. **Ausilio Thin Italian**
- **Days to Harvest**: 70-80 days
- **History**: The **Ausilio Thin Italian** is a family heirloom variety originating from the Ausilio family in Italy. It has been passed down through generations and is valued for its rich flavor and versatility. The family used this pepper both fresh and dried, and it’s often grown in the United States today by descendants of Italian immigrants.
- **Uses**: This pepper is thin-walled and long, ripening from green to red. It has a mildly sweet flavor with a hint of heat, making it ideal for frying, grilling, and drying for use in chili flakes or powders. It can also be used fresh in salads or sautéed with garlic and olive oil.
### 2. **Italian Sweet**
- **Days to Harvest**: 75-80 days
- **History**: **Italian Sweet** peppers are a classic variety, deeply embedded in Italian culinary tradition. They are widely grown throughout Italy and valued for their sweetness and versatility. The variety is well-adapted to the Mediterranean climate and has been a staple in Italian cooking for generations.
- **Uses**: These peppers are large and blocky, with thick, juicy walls. They ripen from green to bright red and have a sweet, mild flavor. Commonly used fresh in salads, roasted, grilled, or sautéed, they are also excellent for stuffing and as an ingredient in sauces.
### 3. **Jimmy Nardello**
- **Days to Harvest**: 80-90 days
- **History**: Named after **Jimmy Nardello**, whose mother, Angela, brought the seeds from the Basilicata region of Italy when the family emigrated to the U.S. in the 1880s. This pepper has been cultivated in the Nardello family for over a century. In 1983, Jimmy donated seeds to Seed Savers Exchange, which popularized the variety.
- **Uses**: A thin-walled, long pepper that ripens to a bright red, it is prized for its sweetness and lack of bitterness. It is one of the best frying peppers and is often eaten sautéed in olive oil. It can also be used fresh in salads, grilled, or dried for later use.
### 4. **Lombardo**
- **Days to Harvest**: 60-70 days
- **History**: **Lombardo** peppers are a traditional Italian heirloom, originally grown in the Lombardy region of northern Italy. This variety has become popular worldwide due to its early ripening and abundant production. The peppers are usually small and thin, reflecting the influence of Lombard cuisine, which values simple, flavorful ingredients.
- **Uses**: These small, thin peppers have a mild heat and are often used for pickling or frying. They are also popular as a garnish in antipasto platters and add a subtle heat to dishes when used fresh. Their versatility makes them excellent for both culinary and ornamental purposes.
Each of these Italian peppers has a rich history rooted in traditional family gardens, offering distinctive flavors for a range of Italian dishes.