Chilli Pepper ‘Red Cherry Small’ Seeds Hot Calabrian Heritage Chilli

Chilli Pepper ‘Red Cherry Small’ (Capsicum annuum L.), also known as ‘Piccante Calabrese’, is a cherished heritage variety from Calabria. These distinctive, round, cherry-shaped chillies are hot but renowned for their exceptional, fruity flavour that shines when cooked. Traditionally stuffed with tuna and preserved in olive oil, they lose about half their heat when cooked, making them perfect for flavourful stuffing, pickling, or sauces. This packet contains approximately 120 seeds.

🌱 Sow in Spring indoors. Needs warmth to germinate. Transplant to full sun after frost.
☀️ Requires full sun & heat. Best in a greenhouse or against a sunny wall in Ireland.
💧 Water consistently. Avoid waterlogging.
📏 Compact plant. Produces abundant round, red chillies.

Bullet Technical Data
🌱 Depth: 0.5 cm
📅 Sow: Spring (Feb-Apr) indoors
☀️ Light: Full sun
🌡️ Germ: 14-30 days (needs heat)
📏 Height: 50-70 cm
🪴 Space: 40-50 cm
⏳ Harvest: 80-90 days (red)
🪙 Seeds: Approx. 120 seeds

Tips & Tricks
Start early with bottom heat. Excellent for container growing. To reduce heat for stuffing, remove seeds and inner membrane. The flavour is superior to many long chillies.

Garden-to-Table Recipe
Calabrian Stuffed Cherry Chillies (Peperoni Ripieni)

• 20 ‘Red Cherry Small’ chillies, stems on

• 150g canned tuna, drained

• 1 tbsp capers, chopped

• 2 anchovy fillets, minced (optional)

• Olive oil

• Salt

1. Slit chillies lengthwise, remove seeds.

2. Mix tuna, capers, anchovy. Stuff into chillies.

3. Pack tightly in a sterilised jar. Cover completely with olive oil.

4. Seal and store in fridge for 1 week before eating.
   Serve with bread, cheeses, and cured meats.