Halloween Jack-o'-Lantern Bell Peppers
These cute jack-o’-lantern stuffed bell peppers are an easy and fun way to make a Halloween meal as festive as the sweet treats!
Equipment
- Small sharp paring knife
- Larger kitchen knife to cut the tops off
- Dry erase marker
- Baking dish
Ingredients
- Orange bell peppers that stand up and have one good side
Instructions
- Pick the right peppers.Make sure the peppers have at least one side flat enough for the face.Choose peppers with a nice stem to serve as a cute handle for the lid.Look for bell peppers that stand up on their own. Female bell peppers are much more stable with four lobes on the bottom than their male counterparts, which only have three lobes.
- Cut the top and clean.Wash the bell peppers. Then slice off the top of each pepper with a medium kitchen knife, making sure to leave enough area for the face. Clean any seeds out of the lid and set it aside. Clean out all of the seeds and remove the membranes.
- Draw the jack-o-lantern face.Plan the face on the most even and flattest side of the pepper by drawing or making marks with a dry erase marker.
- Cut out the face.Slowly and carefully, cut out the eyes, nose, and mouth with a paring knife. Unlike real pumpkins, bell peppers slice effortlessly with a sharp knife and a line can get away from you before you know it! Wash off any remaining dry erase marker.
- Steam the peppers.Add 1/4 inch of water to a baking dish and place the carved bell peppers and the lids cut side down in the water. Microwave on high for 4-6 minutes, depending on how tender or firm you want the peppers. (If you cook them too long, your pumpkin faces will start to shrivel.)
- Stuff the bell peppers with your chosen filling.
Notes
Roasting Option: If you’d prefer a roasted flavor, skip the water and steaming in the microwave. Place the peppers in a large baking dish, drizzle them with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and roast at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!