The Banana pepper’s name comes from its long curved shape and yellowish color that resembles a banana fruit. The heat level of Banana peppers is mild and the flavor is tangy, making these peppers perfect for pickling and tasty in salads, sandwiches, and on top of pizza. They are milder than traditional Jalapeno peppers. The Banana pepper is often confused with its much spicier relative, the Hungarian Wax pepper. The Banana pepper looks somewhat similar to a mini version of the popular tropical fruit. Banana peppers grow to two to three inches in length, and their curved shape immediately resembles a banana. Their color starts green and matures typically to a greenish yellow or full yellow. Banana peppers average between 0 to 500 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), similar to the Shishito pepper and Ruffled Pimento.
Because of their thick walls, stuffed Banana peppers are a popular dish due to the thick walls of this chili pepper. It’s a great alternative to the Bell or Poblano for stuffed pepper dishes. For those looking for a milder Jalapeno popper, Banana pepper poppers are just as delicious. Deep-fried Banana peppers are also very popular in the Southern region of the United States.
