The red bell peppers are one of the most delicious peppers. These are sweeter peppers and have a citrusy flavor, which instantly uplifts the flavor. There are no bitter undertones in the red bell pepper and it’s an amazing source of vitamin C.
The red bell peppers can be baked, sautéed, and grilled. In addition, it’s used as an ingredient for stir-fried recipes and can be stuffed with other ingredients for baking.
However, if you have purchased red bell peppers but there are green veins inside, we are sharing what it means!
Green Veins Inside The Red Bell Pepper – What Does It Mean?
The green veins in the red bell peppers mean that the peppers are undergoing the ripening process and aren’t fully ready to be used. It’s important to add every pepper variety starts out green and the red color develops with time.
However, if there are green veins, it means that the ripening process hasn’t been completed. In most cases, the companies pluck the unripe red bell peppers and artificially ripe them with the help of ethylene gas, which leaves the green veins.
Fortunately, there is nothing wrong with consuming such red bell peppers because the green veins don’t cause any harm to health. If you are still concerned, you can cut out the green veiny part and consume the red part.
The Signs Of Bad Red Bell Peppers
The red bell peppers are widely used in adding flavor to recipes and are an exceptional source of vitamin C, and antioxidants.
It’s evident that green veins don’t mean that the peppers are spoiled but we are sharing some signs that you’ve to look out for.
- Appearance
If the color of the red bell pepper changes, it will remain edible but won’t have the red peppery flavor. The fully ripened red bell peppers have firm flesh and the skin is wrinkle-free and taut.
In addition, it will have a nice aroma. In particular, the flush has a smooth and lustrous appearance.
So, if you have to check the red bell peppers, make sure the skin is smooth, glossy, firm, and luminous. However, if the skin is moldy and the skin has shriveled, it means that the peppers have started to rot and shouldn’t be eaten.
- Touch
The fresh red bell peppers are known to have a tight and firm touch. So, if you want to check the freshness of the peppers, just apply a bit of pressure on the skin – if the skin deforms, it means that the peppers have started to rot inside.
Also, make sure there are no soft and mushy parts on the skin.
- Flavor
The red bell peppers tend to become sweeter and crunchier as they mature.
The first step is to break the mature red bell pepper and see what type of sound it makes – there should be a snapping and sharp sound. So, if the peppers don’t break properly, it means that the peppers aren’t fresh.
Secondly, we recommend that you take a small bite. Since mature red bell peppers have a sweeter flavor, make sure you discard the peppers if they have a bitter flavor.
Also, it’s recommended that you consume the red bell peppers within three to four days if you store them at room temperature.
Shelf Life Of Red Bell Peppers
When kept at room temperature, the red bell peppers will remain fresh for three to four days. However, you can also refrigerate them for one to two weeks but make sure you use the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Storing The Red Bell Peppers
We have already mentioned the shelf life of red bell peppers on the countertop and in the refrigerator. However, there are various ways of storing these peppers, such as;
- Countertop
First of all, if you will use the peppers for a day or two, you can simply put them at room temperature as they will be able to retain the freshness for three to four days.
However, it’s recommended that you use the produce bag and put them in a dry and cool place to prevent mold development.
- Refrigerator
Refrigeration is one of the best storage methods and is a recommended choice for people who want to store peppers for a week or two.
However, make sure that the peppers are dry because exposure to moisture can lead to mold development or spoilage.
It’s recommended that you use a plastic bag to store the peppers and it’s better to use a mesh bag as it has holes for air circulation. The bag should be kept in a crisper drawer as it allows sufficient airflow.
On the other hand, if you have cut the red bell peppers, use an airtight container.
- Freezer
Freezing is another way of storing red bell peppers for a longer time period. For this reason, you must remove the stem, slice off the top, and cut the peppers into strips – you should make 0.5-inch wide strips.
Then, put them on the baking sheet and flash-freeze the peppers by putting the sheet in a freezer.
Flash-freezing will take around an hour and you can simply put the pepper slices in the freezer bag.
You can also wrap the pepper slices in plastic or cling wrap before putting them in the bag. The frozen red bell peppers will be fresh for over six months.
- Drying
The small red bell peppers can be dried in the whole form but you can also slice the peppers if it’s bigger.
You can use a dehydrator to dry the peppers and many people recommend blanching the peppers before you dehydrate them – it helps in color preservation. The dried peppers can be stored for a few weeks.
- Pickling
Last but not least, you can also pickle the red bell peppers and keep them stored in the refrigerator for four to six weeks.
For this purpose, you can simply wash, dry, and cut the peppers – put the peppers in a glass jar and add white vinegar. Make sure vinegar covers the peppers!