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How to Make Bomba Calabrese (Spicy Calabrian Pepper Spread) - A Step-by-Step Guide

One of the most iconic dishes from the region of Calabria in Southern Italy is the Bomba Calabrese, a spicy pepper spread that packs a punch of flavor. This condiment is a staple in every Calabrian household and is used to add a kick to a variety of dishes, from sandwiches and pizzas to pasta and grilled meats.

The key to the success of Bomba Calabrese lies in the quality and variety of peppers used to make it. Typically, a combination of spicy Calabrian chili peppers, sweet bell pepp...

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Ingredients

  • 4 large button mushrooms, quartered
  • ½ yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 small eggplant - trimmed, peeled, cut into chunks
  • ¾ cup olive oil, or more as needed, divided
  • 1 pinch kosher salt, plus more as needed
  • 2 pounds hot cherry peppers
  • 1 pound red bell peppers
  • 3 habanero peppers
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • ½ teaspoon crushed fennel seeds
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ cup white wine vinegar, or to taste

Information

  • Prep Time: 25 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 55 mins
  • Servings: 32
  • Yield: 32 (2-tablespoon) servings

  • Place mushrooms, onion, and eggplant into bowl of a food processor. Pulse on and off until very finely chopped but not liquefied, 8 to 10 pulses.
  • Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil into a skillet. Transfer mushroom mixture to skillet over medium-high heat. Add a large pinch of salt. Cook until mixture is soft, stirring, about 10 minutes.
  • Cut off tops of cherry peppers; discard stems but save the ring of pepper around it. (Do wear protective gloves for this.) Cut the peppers in half and remove the seed pods. Shake out the rest of the seeds. Prep the bell peppers and habanero peppers the same way. Place all peppers in bowl of food processor. Pulse on and off until peppers are very finely chopped, but not liquefied. Transfer peppers to eggplant-onion-mushroom mixture in skillet. Add remaining olive oil. Cook and stir over medium-high heat, reducing heat as needed if mixture looks like it may brown. Add fennel seeds, oregano, and a pinch of salt. Cook until peppers are sweet and tender, 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
  • Stir in white wine vinegar and (optionally) another tablespoon of olive oil. Transfer mixture to a mixing bowl and cool to room temperature. Taste for seasonings, adding more salt, a splash of vinegar, and/or olive oil, if needed. Transfer to jars. Store in refrigerator.

    • Nutrition

    58 cal.

    • Total Fat: 5g
    • Saturated Fat: 1g
    • Sodium: 74mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 3g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Total Sugars: 1g
    • Protein: 1g
    • Vitamin C: 32mg
    • Calcium: 6mg
    • Iron: 0mg
    • Potassium: 98mg

    Categories

    Condiment recipes
    Appetizer recipes
    Sauce recipes
    Spread recipes
    Dip recipes