There are a lot of reasons to love red peppers—they’re delicious, versatile and beautiful. But did you know that the sweet and spicy flavor of the red pepper is also good for your health?

Red peppers contain antioxidants called carotenoids, which help protect your body from free radicals and reduce the risk of certain diseases. They also contain vitamin C, an important antioxidant that helps fight off infections.

Red peppers grow best in warm weather, so if you live in a climate that gets cold in the winter, consider investing in a grow light so you can keep them growing year-round!

Red pepper, also known as cayenne pepper or capsicum, is a type of chili pepper that grows on the plants Capsicum annuum and Capsicum frutescens. It’s commonly used in cooking to add spice and color to dishes.

It’s believed that red peppers have been around since at least 7500 BC—that’s when they were first mentioned in Chinese literature! Nowadays, they’re grown all over the world, including in Mexico and India.

Red peppers are great for your health because they contain vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E—all of which are antioxidants that help protect your body against free radicals. They also contain piperine—an alkaloid that has anti-inflammatory properties. Piperine has been shown to help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, as well as regulate blood pressure levels. Red peppers also contain fiber which helps keep you full longer so you don’t overeat!

They are also a staple in many cuisines around the world. Whether you’re looking for a spicy kick or just want to add some color to your meals, red peppers are an excellent choice – HENCE, Spicy Pickled Pepper Prosciutto Toastique!

Quick pickling creates a fermentation process that is great for the gut, and adds a little ZING to an already incredible flavor of most fresh veggies.
And, for even MORE gut goodness, a cultured Italian cream cheese (mascarpone) and freshly baked and toasted sourdough bread – all together, with rich and salty cured prosciutto, of course, create an amazing superfood meal disguised as a gourmet delight!

Spicy Pickled Pepper Prosciutto Toastique

Spicy Pickled Pepper Prosciutto Toastique

1 small boule of fresh baked sourdough bread, thickly sliced into slabs
extra vrigin olive oil

1 cup mascarpone cheese, room temperature
4 oz. prosciutto, thinly sliced
1/2-3/4 cup Spicy Pickled Peppers*
1 Tbs. fresh basil, prepared chiffonade
sea salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Rub each slice of bread (each side) with olive oil.
Place on a roasting pan and toast the slices until golden brown (only 1-2 minutes). Flip, and toast again, until golden brown on the opposite side.

Remove from the oven.

Slather each slice with mascarpone cheese. Top with the prosciutto, and then with the Spicy Pickled Peppers.
Season with salt and pepper and garnish with fresh basil.

*Spicy Pickled Peppers:
4 cups peppers (chili peppers, red bell peppers, ANY peppers), sliced and chopped
1 1/2 cups white vinegar
4 cloves garlic, chopped
3 Tbs. black peppercorns
2 Tbs. coarse pickling salt
2 Tbs. sugar

Slice and chop the cleaned and dried fresh peppers. (Discard the seeds for a mild result – the more seeds you include, the spicier! 🌶).

Pack all peppers into a quart-sized jar.

Combine the vinegar, garlic, peppercorns, salt, and sugar in a small pot. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer until the sugar dissolves, just a few minutes.

Remove from heat.

Pour the hot brine over the jarred peppers. Seal with a tight lid. Seal and refrigerate.

While the peppers will be ready once cooled and then chilled, waiting a few weeks will yield a much better result!