Ingredients
-
2 cups small green peppers, Padrón preferred but small green or shishito work!
- 1 jalapeño, optional
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Flaky sea salt
- 1 clove garlic, optional
-
Pinch smoked paprika, optional [my favorite: https://amzn.to/4dYfEZm]
Why This Dish Matters
If you have walked the Camino, this will bring you right back. If you are preparing to go, this is a great way to get familiar with the flavors of Galicia! Simple food, done right, hits differently, I swear!
Traditionally, this dish uses Padrón peppers. In the US, shishito peppers are the closest substitute. If those are not available, small green peppers work too. The jalapeño adds a bit of unpredictability, just like the original dish. Most bites are mild. One might surprise you...and that's part of the tradition!
Step 1. Rinse and Dry the Peppers
Start by rinsing your peppers.
Then dry them very well. This step matters.
- Wet peppers will steam
- Dry peppers will blister
Blistering is where the flavor comes from!
Step 2. Heat the Pan
Place your pan on high heat immediately. Do not ease into it.
Add about 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
This is a simple dish but each ingredient matters.
Step 3. Test the Heat
Drop one pepper into the pan.
You should hear an instant sizzle.
If you do not, stop and wait.
That sound means you are ready!
Step 4. Cook the Peppers
Add the rest of the peppers.
Spread them out so each one touches the pan.
Let them sit for about a minute. Do not stir right away.
You want the skins to tighten, bubble, and char.
Shake the pan lightly. Turn over as needed.
Cook for 5 to 7 minutes total.
You are looking for:
- Soft inside
- Blistered outside
- A few dark spots
Step 5. Optional Additions
Near the end, you can add a smashed clove of garlic. Let it cook for about one minute.
After removing from heat, you can add a pinch of smoked paprika.
These are not traditional, but they add depth. This is my preferred method and it's GREAT!
Step 6. Finish
Transfer the peppers to a bowl immediately.
Add flaky sea salt. Be generous.
That is it. No sauce. No extras. No nada mas!
How to Eat
Eat with your hands.
Most peppers will be mild and flavorful.
Then one will hit!
That is part of the experience!
Like the Camino, this dish is simple on the surface.
But every now and then, it surprises you!
#PimientosDePadrón #CaminoKitchen #CaminoCooking
