Bring a taste of Spanish tapas bars straight to your garden with the legendary heirloom Padrón pepper. Originating from the Padrón municipality in Galicia, Spain, this variety is famous for its unique culinary quirk: a game of flavor roulette where most peppers offer a mild, sweet flavor, but approximately one in every ten fruits delivers a surprising, pleasant kick of heat. The small, conical fruits ripen from vibrant green to deep red, thriving when harvested young (about 1 to 2 inches long). Their thin walls and tender flesh make them ideal for quick cooking methods, ensuring a delightful, savory experience with every harvest.

Padrón peppers are prolific producers that are best grown in full sun and well-draining soil. Start seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost to get a head start on the growing season. Transplant outdoors once temperatures are consistently warm, spacing plants 18 inches apart. Consistent watering is key to healthy plant growth and fruit production. For the best flavor and the highest chance of the heat "surprise," harvest the peppers when they are still green and small. Simply pick, wash, and pan-fry them whole in olive oil with a sprinkle of sea salt for the authentic Spanish pimientos de Padrón experience.