What Is A Pimento Anyway?

You may know them as pimentos or pimientos. Either way, we can't discuss pimientos without talking about pimiento cheese. Those small red pimientos are a type of sweet pepper, and they pack a lot of flavor into the classic dip. As Southerners, we can agree pimiento cheese goes hand in hand with sweet tea, and one might even say a good pimiento cheese is equally as important as attending church on Sunday. This crowd-favorite dip has many regional varieties, but they all start with a combination of cheese, mayonnaise, and of course, pimientos. Though we all know and love this Southern delicacy, the starring ingredient often flies under the radar. What is a pimento vs. a pimiento? Here's what exactly this pepper is and why it's a necessity in pimiento cheese.

What's The Difference Between Pimiento Vs. Pimento?

First, pimiento is the Spanish word for peppers, while pimento is the widely used and accepted English version. The pimiento peppers in your pimiento cheese are small peppers. In the Caribbean, pimento also refers to allspice, which comes from the dried berries of the myrtle pepper tree (Pimenta dioica). Generally, you may see either spelling on a tub of pimiento cheese.

What Is A Pimiento?

Small but mighty, pimiento peppers are mostly sweet with a little heat; think of them as sassy peppers. Whether they're acting as an ingredient, spice, or garnish, their presence can make all the difference in a dish. Native to South America but most commonly found in Spain, this heart-shaped variety of chili peppers is typically red and relatively small—about 3 to 4 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide. Some varieties can be hot, but most you'll find are sweet, mild, and more aromatic than their cousin, the crisp bell pepper. You'll generally find them fresh in the produce section as cherry peppers or jarred on a shelf.

Are Pimientos Good For You?

Pimiento peppers contain essential vitamins and minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, and magnesium that support heart health, immune function, and beautiful skin. They are a good source of vitamin C and vitamin A. While pimientos themselves may have nutritional value, know that jarred pimientos may contain added sodium, and the peppers may be an issue for those with nightshade sensitivity.

What Do Pimientos Taste Like?

Don't be tempted to omit these small peppers from your recipe. Their mild, sweet flavor and hint of spice add unique flavor to dishes. They register low on the Scoville scale used to measure the heat of various peppers. Jarred pimientos are stored in a mixture of water, salt, and citric acid that you can also use to enhance dishes.

Can You Substitute Bell Peppers For Pimientos?

Technically speaking—yes. Bell peppers are often used in place of pimientos, but in doing so, you lose their specific flavor. You'll find some store-bought pimiento cheeses that do this or instead use a combination of both pepper varieties. If you must substitute them in a recipe, try roasting the bell peppers first to give them a sharper, stronger peppery flavor to mimic pimientos. But if you want to make a true Southern pimiento cheese, you've got to stick with pimientos. Our favorite pimiento cheese recipe uses jarred ones.

How Are Pimientos Used?

Though these little guys are very versatile, in the South, you'll mostly find them folded into classic pimiento cheese. However, chances are high that you've encountered them other favorite dishes without realizing it. Have you ever wondered what the red stuffing inside your green olives is? That's a pimiento pepper. When dried and ground, these sweet peppers can also be found in paprika, which we're quite sure you've used as the finishing touch on your deviled eggs. And remember the pimentio loaf you loved on sandwiches as a kid? The deli meat was flavored with pimientos and pickles. You can also use pimientos in pasta salads, scrambled eggs, sauces, and dips.

Step outside your pimiento cheese comfort zone, and try these recipes inspired by that jar in your fridge:

• Pimiento Cheese Meatloaf
• Two-Layer Pimiento-and-Cheese Dip with Smoked Almonds
• Pimiento Cheese Chicken-Broccoli Casserole
• Macaroni Salad
• Hot Crawfish Dip
  
• Hot Chicken Salad
• Feta Tomato Pasta