Marinated Feta With Pan-Roasted Shishito Peppers And Olives

Marinated Feta With Pan-Roasted Shishito Peppers And Olives
4 (1 ratings)
Shishito peppers are small Japanese sweet peppers; they're skinny and slightly twisted. They're picked young, while still green and only about three inches long. When growing my own I've never had a spicy one in the bunch, but when I've purchased them, about one in 10 peppers turns out to be hot. Also, I find that the smaller the peppers are, the less of a chance they'll be spicy. Of course, the most wonderful thing about these little peppers is their flavor — slightly smoky and sweet with a hint of bitterness. They are delightful simply pan-sautéed with a little olive oil, served as a nibble or a side vegetable. But here, I serve them with feta, olives, and fresh thyme for a delectable hors d'oeuvre. If you can't find shishito peppers at your farmers' market, look for them in Asian specialty stores — especially Korean markets, where you'll find them labeled as "twist peppers."
Servings
4
Ingredients
  • 4 ounce shishito peppers or mini sweet peppers
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • sea salt, to taste
  • 8 ounce feta, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 cup kalamata olives
  • 2 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
  1. Make a small slit in each pepper with a paring knife. (This will prevent them from bursting when they cook.) Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat and line a tray with paper towels. When the pan is hot, add the oil and peppers and toss well. Sauté until golden brown and blistered, tossing only occasionally, for 4-5 minutes. Transfer to the paper towels and season with salt, to taste. Set aside.
  2. Place the feta, olives, and roasted peppers in a wide bowl. Sprinkle with the thyme. Drizzle with the olive oil and gently turn the ingredients over with a spatula, being careful not to break the feta cubes. Let marinate at room temperature, for at least 30 minutes or up to 1 hour before serving.