These colorful fruits have a sweet taste, a crunchy flesh, and a wealth of antioxidants and vitamin C. Their most common colors are green, orange, red, and yellow.
However, on more rare occasions, they also come in shades of dark purple, lavender, brown, and white. With such a wide variety of colors, bell peppers make a beautiful accent to everything from salads to fajitas to omelets. They also provide a satisfying crunch and an added boost of nutrition!
Pizza-Stuffed Bell Peppers
4
servingsFor a healthy alternative to carb-loaded, traditional pizza, try these fresh, convenient personal pizza peppers for dinner. The best part is they're fun and easy to make!
Ingredients
- 2
bell peppers, halved lengthwise
- ¼ cup
pepperoni slices
- 2 tbsp.
bread crumbs
- ¼ cup
Italian-blend shredded cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Remove seeds and stem from peppers and place cut-side up on baking sheet.
Chop pepperoni coarsely; combine bread crumbs, pepperoni, and cheese.
Fill each pepper half with cheese mixture; bake 15–18 minutes or until peppers are tender and cheese is melted.
Nutrition Facts (per serving):
- 120 calories | 8g total fat | 3g saturated fat | 0g trans fat | 20mg cholesterol | 320mg sodium | 6g carbs | 1g fiber | 3g sugars | 6g protein | 6% calcium | 40% vitamin A | 30% vitamin C | 4% iron
Facts about Bell Peppers
Did You Know?
Bell Peppers are technically fruits because they bear seeds, though they are considered vegetables in the culinary world.
Storing Wisdom:
Green peppers are younger, less ripe versions of the red and orange varieties, and therefore tend to last a bit longer. Keep peppers in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator for one to two weeks or slice and freeze to use in recipes later.
How to Choose:
Look for well-shaped, glossy, firm peppers with no wrinkles, sunken areas, or discolored spots. They should feel dense, indicating thick meat and juiciness.
