So, who do we have to thank for this gorgeous and tasty Italian heirloom pepper? Well, in the late 1800s, Giuseppe and Angella Nardiello are said to have grown this pepper in Southern Italy in their home garden in the Basilicata region.

They brought the seeds with them as they migrated to America, settling in Naugatuck, Connecticut. There, they continued growing this pepper and named it after their 4th son, Jimmy.

These peppers are truly one of the most delicious sweet peppers you can grow. They have thin skin, meaning they are not tough or chewy, making them perfect for snacking or frying.

While you can harvest them green, the best flavor comes when they are fully ripened to bright red. The flavor is similar to that of a fresh red bell pepper, but even more sweet and satisfying.

Despite looking like a hot pepper, Jimmy Nardello peppers are completely heatless. The flavor has a slight resemblance to that of hot chilies, but is mostly overpowered by the sweetness.

I think this is a great example of what separates an heirloom variety from a modern hybrid. You just can’t beat the centuries-old hand-selected varieties when it comes to taste