Every good sandwich is incomplete without a bit of tang. And while onions and sour pickles may do the trick, theres nothing like adding a small, sweet, sour, slightly spicy green pepper to the mix to break up the richness of ingredients like meat, cheese, and mayo. But are we talking about banana peppers or pepperoncini?
Theres no doubt the two are very similar — in fact, if you saw them both on the vine, you might not be able to tell the difference. Both peppers can appear yellow-green or green and have an elongated shape that is slightly curved at the bottom. If you bit into both, expect a sweet crunch with a burst of spicy, sour juice and seeds. They both belong to the species capsicum annuum, a class of peppers that also includes cayenne, shishito, serrano, and bell peppers. Considering their similarities, its easy to mistake banana peppers and pepperoncini for each other, and amidst the layers of a big sandwich, you may not even know which one youre eating. However, these two peppers differ in a few key ways.
Yes, you can substitute banana peppers for pepperoncini. Use pepperoncini and banana peppers interchangeably, as both will impart a mild heat and tangy, acidic flavor to dishes like sandwiches and salads.
What are banana peppers?
Once you see a whole banana pepper, youll understand exactly how it got its name. Also called banana chilis and yellow wax peppers, these little peppers are long, yellow, or yellow-green and slightly curved like the fruit that bears their name. Thats where the similarities between bananas and these peppers end, however, as they have different flavors and textures and are not related at all. Banana peppers originally came from Hungary and are often mistaken for the much-spicier Hungarian wax peppers.
If you taste a banana pepper, however, youll immediately realize that even those with a low spice tolerance can probably handle them. They are typically at least five times milder than a jalapeno and range from 0 to 500 on the Scoville heat scale, meaning that some banana peppers arent spicy at all. Theyre typically sold as either hot or sweet, although most peppers are a combination of the two flavors and have some added sourness, especially if theyre pickled. However, the riper a banana pepper is, the sweeter and milder it usually is.
Perhaps the most obvious difference between banana peppers and pepperoncini, at least from the outside, is in their skin. Banana peppers have smooth, waxy skin and a crunchy exterior, unlike pepperoncini.
While banana peppers are smooth and crisp on the outside, pepperoncini are wrinkly and usually sold jarred and pickled. Banana peppers typically have a pointy tip, but pepperoncini are generally round at the end and are about an inch smaller than banana peppers on average. Pepperoncini are also sweet, crunchy, and tangy, although theyre usually more sour than banana peppers due to the vinegar used when pickling. Because theyre mildly spicy, its easy to mistake a banana peppers flavor for a pepperoncinis, but these wrinkly peppers are typically a little spicier than their yellow siblings. For reference, pepperoncini usually range from 100 to 500 on the Scoville heat scale, meaning you wont find any that are completely mild.
And while banana peppers have Hungarian origins, pepperoncini come from Italy and Greece. Theyre also called golden Greek peppers, sweet Italian peppers, or friggitello by Italians. But although these two peppers came from different places, they have relatively similar nutritional value. Both peppers are high in vitamin C and iron, although pepperoncini also have fiber and calcium, while banana peppers are a good source of potassium and manganese. Its a good idea to watch your sodium consumption when eating pepperoncini, however — because theyre almost always sold pickled; even three of the peppers can contain as much as 400 mg of sodium.
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FAQ
Can I use banana peppers instead of pepperoncini?
What’s the difference between mild banana peppers and pepperoncini?
What are banana peppers good for?
Can you substitute banana peppers for pepperoncini?
Yes, you can substitute banana peppers for pepperoncini. Use pepperoncini and banana peppers interchangeably, as both will impart a mild heat and tangy, acidic flavor to dishes like sandwiches and salads. However, pepperoncini can sometimes be spicier than banana peppers, so be sure to taste the peppers before swapping them into your recipe.
What are the healthier substitutes of pepper?
Healthier substitutes of pepper are: 1. White pepper: It comes from the same fruit as the black pepper. The seed in the fruit gives us white pepper if you crack open the black pepper. 2. Green pepper: The harvesting of the fruit happens much earlier. It has mild taste and carry less heat than the black ones. 3. Pink pepper: These can also be grounded and can be used as a substitute for black pepper. It has sweeter taste and brings a rosy tone to the food. Because of its mild nature, you may have to compensate by adding a little more. 4. Papaya seeds: The seeds of the sweet fruit mimics black pepper once dried and grounded. Additionally, papaya seeds contain antioxidants and are highly nutritious.
Can you eat banana peppers for pepperoncini?
You may use banana peppers for pepperoncini in any recipe, and the end result will be quite similar in flavor to the original dish. These peppers are not particularly spicy and can be eaten raw, for example in a salad. 2. Cherry Peppers Those individuals who are accustomed to eating foods with a high level of heat will recognize these.
What is a substitute for pepperoncini?
When choosing a substitute for pepperoncini, you also have the option of using canned peppers. Canned peppers are widely available and a great option for those who always have trouble maintaining their vegetables fresh. In general, the flavor of canned peppers is milder compared to fresh peppers and they contain a high amount of sodium.