Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers
A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers
How many pickled peppers did Peter Piper pick?
Well, now, apparently this question has been much in debate for some time. First, there are those who wish to have "a peck" defined. The peck has been a unit of measurement dating back to the early 14th century, used as measurement for flour only. In Great Britain the peck can be a liquid 57.75 cubic inches or dry measurement 67.2 cubic inches. In the United States, just the dry peck measure.
And then there are those who do not believe Peter Piper could pick pickled peppers. After all, pickled peppers are not grown that way and if he did indeed pick said pickled peppers then it must have been by picking pockets of pickled peppers. No good.
What then are pickled peppers?
A quick history run into the the spice trade. Spices were referrred to by the common name of "peppers." Spices were expensive. To keep supply low and demand high, the companies controlling the spice trade would rub the seeds with lime before selling them. Lime prevented the seeds from germinating when planted and the process was called "pickling."
There are those of the mind set that Peter Piper is none other than a French pirate and horticulturist named Pierre Poivre (1719 - 1786). Anglicized Peter Piper. I know what you may be thinking- but a pirate can be a horticulturist or a writer or a great many things. Anyway- back to the narrative: Pierre was known for raiding spice stores so he could grow them in his garden and have them be more accessible for the average European. He is remembered in history by most as a "noble French botanist." On occasion, Pierre the Pirate would have picked a peck of pickled peppers and the rotten luck to not have them germinate. Yes?
PEPPERS - very nearly a super food. Loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, and even the anitoxidant lycopene, as with tomatoes and much in debate as to being a cancer preventative. A green bell pepper has 200% vitamin C and 11% vitamin A per one raw cup serving and if that doesn't wow you enough, a red pepper rings in at 317% vitamin C and 93% vitamin A. As I say, very nearly a super food.
Stuffed Green Peppers are one of those really simple, comforting and naturally gluten free meals. My grandmother on my mother's side made these. My mother made these. I make them the same way and my family loves them.
Ingredients and how to:
Three large peppers halved with seeds and ribs removed.
1 pepper - chopped
1 large onion - chopped
1 cup Jasmine rice
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
2 tablespoons butter
olive oil
1 1/2 lbs ground sirloin.
1/4 lb or more grated cheddar cheese
In Dutch oven brown beef and remove from pan to drain. Chop onions. In same pan drizzle olive oil and add chopped onions and peppers. Salt and pepper to taste. I like these to soften quite a bit, that is a preference thing. When they are the consistency preferred, add browned beef back into pan, stir in one cup of rice. Add the broth.
Place pepper halves cut side down onto mixure. Bring to boil.
Seal tightly and let simmer for 25 miinutes.
Warm oven to 375. Butter a casserole dish or 9x13 pan. When time is up, remove peppers and invert them into prepared pan. Stir 2 tablespoons butter into mixure and then spoon into peppers. I always have some to do in a smaller dish for anyone not fond of so much pepper. Cover with grated cheese
and place in oven until melted. DONE!
pimientos dulces
bell peppers
Bell peppers are native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. Seeds travelled to Spain in the late 1400's or early 1500's (maybe by route of pirate before Poivre?). From Spain to all of Europe and into Asia. Today, China is leading in pepper production with Mexico at a close second.
A certain young fellow named Beebee
Wished to marry a lady named Phoebe
"But," he said,"I must see
What the minister's fee be
Before Phoebe be Phoebe Beebee."
AAARRRRRGGGHHH! We'll not be discussing that one~
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