Food Encyclopedia

pimiento

1. A large, red, heart-shaped sweet pepper that measures 3 to 4 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide. The flesh of the pimiento (Spanish for "pepper") is sweet, succulent and more aromatic than that of the red bell pepper. Fresh pimientos may be found from late summer to early fall in specialty produce markets and some supermakets. Canned and bottled pimientos (halves, strips or pieces) are available year-round. Pimientos are the familiar red stuffing found in green olives. Much of the pimiento crop is used for paprika. 2. Pimento is the name of the tree from which allspice comes.