Jimmy Nardellos, But Better
Plus: America's Test Kitchen's new video series and an honorary plum torte.
In 1887, Angella Nardello packed up a handful of pepper seeds — along with the rest of her life — before moving from her hometown of Ruoto in southern Italy to Naugatuck, Connecticut. Named after her son, who spent his life tending the family garden and preserving his mother’s legacy, those seeds would eventually become one of America’s most hyped heirloom peppers.
Jimmy Nardellos are sweet and impossibly rich, with an almost buttery texture and hint of smoke when blistered. Like a sculptural modern art installation, the curved, wrinkled, cherry-red pods have collected devoted fans across the country. But now there’s a brand new successor to the throne: a collaboration between Cornell plant breeders Michael Mazourek and Gregor Inzinna. This new kid honors Jimmy’s legendary flavor while solving some practical problems.
