Peppadews are good

I am definitely late to the game, but last night I discovered Peppadew peppers. Mmm, mmm. The bit-sized red bell-shaped peppers from South Africa have a flavor that is perfectly balanced between sweet and spicy, and they have a nice crunch. They come seeded, and preserved (with no preservatives) in what I'm guessing is mostly vinegar. They, are, good.

They are perfect as an antipasto served straight out of the jar, or as they were served last night, straight out of a Dean and DeLuca plastic deli container. I don't know how much they cost at D&D, but I bet the price is at the high end. The Web says you can also get them (more cheaply, I'm guessing again) at your local A&P, Food Emporium or Gristedes.

I haven't figure out if these "sweet piquanté peppers", as the marketing people at Peppadew International call them, are a recent botanical creation of the South African company, or if Peppadew just dominates the international market for these little belles, which for all I know are as common in South Africa as chilis in Texas. Either way, don't be surprised when the brand name and the product become synomous despite the food company's efforts to prevent that from happening.