Fried, Whole Red Peppers

These fried peppers are very popular in Greece – there they use light green peppers for this recipe. I love peppers, and every time I have been in Greece, I eat these delicious peppers every day. (By the way, I find the red ones to be even sweeter and yummier than the green ones). YUM!

Ingredients:

• Whole red peppers, long and thin, if available.
• Olive oil.
• A splash of balsamic vinegar.
• Teaspoon of crushed garlic (optional).
• Coarse salt.

Preparation:

1. Wash peppers, and then pierce with tip of knife in 2-3 places.
2. Put some olive oil in large, heavy pan.
3. Slowly heat the olive oil, and add the peppers, whole, sprinkling coarse salt on them.
4. Cover the pan with lid, and slowly fry, occasionally turning over the peppers.
5. The frying process should be rather slow, and the heat should not be too high.
6. When the peppers are softened, and have some brown patches on them, turn off the heat, and add a splash of balsamic vinegar on it, plus the crushed garlic.
7. Let cool.
8. Serve at room temperature.