Pasta con i peperoni cruschi

Pasta con i peperoni cruschi is a pasta dish flavoured with peperoni cruschi, typical of the Basilicata region of Italy.

Description

The main ingredient is peperone crusco, a dried and crunchy pepper known for its sweet flavour and intense colour, which is a popular element in the local cuisine. Usually the peperone di Senise is used, for its thin pulp and low water content which allows a rapid drying.
It is served with homemade pasta, such as cavatelli, strascinati or ferretti.

Preparation

The peppers are cleaned with a dry cloth, deprived of the stalk and the seeds to be subsequently flash-fried in hot olive oil, flavoured with a garlic clove which is removed before the cooking. The frying takes just a few seconds, and they must be immediately extracted to avoid burns that compromise the flavour, giving an unpleasant taste.