Shishito

The Shishito is a sweet East Asian variety that is small finger-long slender and thin-walled. Although it turns from green to red upon ripening it is usually harvested and eaten while green. The name refers to the fact that the tip of the chili pepper looks like the head of a lion. About one out of every ten peppers is spicy. For cooking a hole is poked in the pepper beforehand to keep expanding hot air from bursting the pepper. It may be skewered then broiled (grilled) or pan-fried in oil or stewed in a soy sauce and dashi-based liquid. It is thin-skinned and will blister and char easily compared with thicker skinned varieties.