Piquillo pepper

The Piquillo pepper is a Spanish variety prized for its sweet, mild flavour and distinctive beak-like shape. Traditionally grown in Lodosa, Navarra, these peppers are hand-harvested and wood-fire roasted, giving them a smoky-sweet character. Their thick walls and triangular shape make them ideal for stuffing, earning them Protected Designation of Origin status in Spain.

History & lineage

The Piquillo pepper - "pimiento del piquillo" - takes its name from the Spanish word "piquillo", a diminutive of "pico" meaning beak or point. The variety is named for the small triangular tip of each pod, which gives the pepper its distinctive beak-like appearance. The name therefore describes the shape: "the little-beak pepper". Piquillos are tied geographically to the Lodosa region of Navarra in northern Spain, where the variety has been cultivated for centuries. The combination of riverine soil along the Ebro Valley, continental climate, and traditional cultivation methods produces peppers of distinctive sweetness and flavour. The variety carries Denomination of Origin Protected status (DOP Pimiento del Piquillo de Lodosa), granted in 1987 - one of the earliest Spanish pepper DOPs. The traditional preparation is essential to the Piquillo's identity. Authentic Piquillos are roasted over open wood fires (often using vine cuttings from local vineyards), peeled by hand, and packed into jars in their own juices without water added. This labour-intensive process - all manual, no industrial machinery - is what justifies the premium prices commanded by genuine Lodosa Piquillos. The wood-fire roasting imparts the characteristic smoky-sweet character that distinguishes them from any other roasted red pepper. In Spanish cuisine, Piquillos appear most prominently as stuffed peppers (rellenos), filled with seafood (typically cod), meat, or vegetables, and served as a tapa or main course. They also feature as accompaniments to roasted meats, in sandwiches, and as a foundational ingredient in modern Spanish creative cuisine. Outside Spain, jarred Piquillos have become a staple of European delicatessens, increasingly available in UK supermarkets as Spanish food has gained mainstream presence.

Culinary uses

Primarily used for stuffing with bacalao, seafood, cheese, or meat and served as tapas. Also featured in sauces, salads, and as a garnish. The roasted, jarred form is most common outside Spain.