The product that is loved the most in Calabria is the Peperoncino, the so called hot chili pepper. In every house you will see peperoncino hanging from the ceiling, and in every dish you will taste it. Oh yes, i calabresi like it hot!
You name it and they use peperoncino; chocolate liquor with peperoncino, gelato al peperoncino (oh yes you can have this type of ice cream in the coastal town Diamante), pasta dishes with peperoncino, sausages with peperoncino, grappa al peperoncino and so much more…
I just mentioned the coastal town Diamante which is located 27km south of Praia A Mare. At the entrance of this town a red statue of the capsicum will welcome you to let you know that Diamante’s true symbol is the peperoncino. To honor this hot jewel the Peperoncino Festival is held every September. This celebration includes concerts, dances, film reviews, street theater and a competition to find the person capable of eating the greatest number of peppers. Makes me think who could be so crazy to eat many of these hot chili peppers. Well it aint me, that’s for sure!!
However, the event, which has acquired international standing, is organized by the Italian Chili Pepper Academy. And just a few kilometers north of Diamante you will even find the Peperoncino Museum, in Maiera’s Palazzo Dicale. Here you can learn more about the history of Calabria’s pride. I have been in Diamante 2 years ago and unfortunately haven’t visited this museum. This year we didn’t go to Diamante. But it is on my bucket list for my next trip to the South!
Today Calabria’s peperoncino has been awarded DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) status and is one of the region’s most important economic and cultural resources.
Typical view in Calabria:
I found this extremely funny!! “The Viagra of the poor”:
Those would be a great souvenir to take home, I love the strings of them hanging up.
Hahaha, I never thought of it as a souvenir, but you’re right!!
Some like it hot and according to your sign some like it ultra hot! Did you buy a little dried Peperoncino during your visit? I have this lovely Peperoncino mix that I bought during my last trip to Italy, with other Italian herbs such as basil and garlic and it fantastic to make any pasta sparkle. Take Care, BAM
Hi BAM, non I didn’t buy anything as Luca’s mom makes it all herself. So we always take a lot of ‘homemade’ Calabrian food with us
Lucky us!!
Love the photos! Love Peperoncino!
Thanks
Lovely chili pepper photos! I would love to go to that festival dedicated to all things hot! I never knew Calabrians liked food with heat!
Hi! Oh yes they do, they really add ‘peperoncino’ to every dish. My love just came back from Calabria so we’re having enough at home now
I’ve been carrying on a “hot pepper exchange” with my friends in Bernalda (Basilicata) for many years, and as I am originally from Texas, there is a growing appreciation for any and all seeds I can supply that the locals haven’t seen before. If you get something with jalapenos in it while in southern Italy, that might very well be (thanks to) my fault!!
Really?? That’s funny! Well, don’t consider it a fault
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I will definitey watch out for your jalapenos next time I’ll be in the South 
. Take a look at your blog later as well!!
Reblogged this on The Italian South and commented:
“The Viagra of the poor”? Here’s a fun blog post about Calabrian hot peppers and spicy food. Thanks, DUTCHgoesITALIAN!!
Thanks a lot Sandy!!
I simply have to try that gelato sometime! It must be really unique
I know…unique is a good description
Have a great weekend Meg!
Although not liking food too hot, one of my favorite dishes is linguine with an oil/garlic/pepper “sauce”. Great post – makes me want to go back to Belvedere Marittimo, just south of Diamante, I think. Met a lot of good friends there I still keep in touch with to this day. Thank you for bringing back great memories!
Hi Debbie, how wonderful that you have such nice memories of Calabria and that you’re still in contact with friends there… That’s a good reason to go back there right?
Happy that I brought you back to that place via my post 
Have a great weekend!!
The peperoncino could be enough inducement for my husband to agree to another trip to Italy …. hmmmmm, I’ll have to think on how to present that.
Make him a “penne (pasta) all’arrabbiata” and you’ll convince him
Do you have a recipe?
I’ll send it to you this weekend ok? I’m at work now
Cool !!!
Wonderful post! Hubs and I can’t eat without a little heat in our food. You had me chuckling over the “Il Viagra dei Poveri” and it reminded me of my aunt (she says, “Ah povernio”! from time to time). Thanks for the morning smile
LOL nice to start the day with a smile. Happy I could give you one via my post
Have a wonderful day!!
Reblogged this on Spelt for Choice: Marian's Kitchen Blog and commented:
Like your peppers hot, this September Calabria (in Italy) festival might interest you… Do you like any food to hang if around your house as ornaments?
Thanks Marian for reblogging my post. That’s a real honor
!!
Tks, that’s a lovely
Great blog tremendous and interesting information keep up the good work.
Thanks so much John!
I will, I will!!
Riddle me this: why don’t more people read your blog?
I love your photos and sense of humor. The Viagra photo is superlative. The next time I go to Italy I will call on you for suggestions. (I wish I had thought of that before our trip this past June.)
I don’t know why not more people are reading my blog….I would say, spread the word
You can send me an email anytime and I will be happy to help you out! Where in Italy did you go this June??
For some of us it was our first time. So R, F & V to start. Then onto Como, Piemonte (Alba & Barolo) and a day in Cinqueterre, which fo me at least were more fun!
Well of course for a first visit to Italy you must see Rome, Florence and Venice!! Como is nice but I prefer Lago Maggiore and Lago d’Orta (close to where I live). for the wineyards Alba & Barolo is perfect…planning to visit it as well. Barolo is delicious!!!! Cinqueterre is something else. Been there 7 years back and I loved it. Nice tour however
Dutch, the chilis in your pictures look delicious. Do you know any Calabrian recipes that use the pepper?
Hi Chris! I do….a very simple one is with pasta and olive oil. If you want you can leave your email and I will soon send you a recipe!
I love chilli peppers and your pictures really do them justice. I had no idea they were such a delicacy in Italy though.
Does the sign in the last picture mean ‘The Viagra of the poor’? Whatever it is, you can see why the little guy has such a big smile
Thanks Finn!! Yes, it does mean that. I forgot to put it and added it later
I found it so funny 
Well it’s definitely cheaper than Viagra, hahahaha
Very interesting. I loooooove peppers. Some of the more common ones here are jalapeño peppers and serano peppers which are used alot in mexican food. Yum.
Cayene peppers are used in cajun cuisine. And many more. I’ve always loved the red peppers they give you when you get pizza are those the same ones you speak of?
Oh I love mexican food!!! We have only 1 mexican restaurant near Borgomanero that is pretty good where we go once in a while
. The red peppers you get on the pizza ar sweet and bigger. But they do put some oil with the hot chili peppers in it to put on top of your pizza if you wish. Luca does that some times 