This yellow-green to red tapered fruit is prized for a sweet, mild flesh that is growing in popularity because of its rich flavor and pretty colors for frying and cooking. The thin-walled pepper is especially suited for quick cooking. Popular in dishes of Spanish, Italian, and Slavic descent, many cooks prefer it to bell types. In the garden, Cubanelle peppers are unique, often growing in imperfect shapes and changing color from green/yellow to shades of orange to red. Don’t be surprised if the some of the peppers curl and twist a bit. No two seem to ever be alike — it’s part of of their charm. Very similar to a banana pepper, although Cubanelles have thinner walls and are generally stubbier. Have more flavor than bell peppers. Great for frying, due to their low water content.

Thin-walled fruit. Cubanelle is a thin-walled, long, tapered pepper with more flavor and a lower water content than other bell peppers. It’s best picked when yellow-green for use in roasting or frying but can also be left to mature when it will turn orange-red.