Other Names   Paprika, Spanish paprika, sweet squash pepper  

Flavor  Sweet, 0 to 1

Shape   Globular, tomato-like, or squash shaped, 3 inches in diameter

Color   Green to red

Fresh  Gardens and Markets

Dried   Not used

Processed   Sold canned as pimento, pickled, powdered, used as commercial coloring agent

Available Cultivars   Canada Cheese, Early Sweet Pimento, Sunnybrook, Tomato Pimento, Yellow Cheese Pimento

Originating in Mesoamerica, this thick-fleshed, sweet pepper is thought to be the precursor to the Bell Pepper.  Grown extensively in Spain and Morocco for the production of high quality paprika this pepper is also grown in the southern United States where in addition to paprika and a coloring agent, it is sometimes used as a substitute for true pimento.