Sheepnose Pimento Pepper

A sweet, thick-walled Ohio heirloom pimento pepper prized for its juicy meaty flesh, rich aromatic flavor, and excellent performance in canning and fresh use.

Growing

~75 days to maturity

Fruit size

6–10 cm

Flavor & Use

Sweet, juicy, and meaty with a rich aromatic flavor and mild tangy notes; thick flesh tastes almost fruity and is deeper and more flavorful than many modern sweet peppers.

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Culinary

Canningpimento cheesestuffingroastingfresh eatingand refrigerated storage (keeps well for weeks).

About

The Sheepnose Pimento Pepper is a cherished Ohio heirloom Capsicum annuum variety dating back to at least 1940 in the family of Seed Savers Exchange member Nick Rini. It produces attractive squat tomato-shaped or rounded ribbed fruits about 2.5–4 inches across that ripen from green to bright red. The thick-walled, juicy peppers have a sweet, rich, aromatic flavor with meaty texture and good keeping quality, making them ideal for canning, pimento cheese, stuffing, roasting, and fresh eating. This traditional pimento type was more widely grown before bell peppers came to dominate and is recognized on the Slow Food Ark of Taste.

Backstory

Ohio family heirloom preserved since at least 1940 by the family of Seed Savers Exchange member Nick Rini. A traditional sweet pimento type that was more common before bell peppers dominated home gardens; recognized on the Slow Food Ark of Taste.

Appearance

ShapeSquat tomato-shaped
ColorGreen · Red
Size6–10 cm
WallThick
SkinGlossy

Growing

SunFull
WaterModerate
ClimateTemperate
Days to maturity75 days
Plant height45–60 cm
Soil pH6–6.8
Germination7–14 days
Spacing45 cm
HardinessZones annual in 4-11

Heritage

We don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.

Sources