Would you believe it if I told you there was a pepper unique to Chicago? No, I’m not talking about the ubiquitous sport peppers on a Chicago-style hot-dog, I am talking about the Melrose pepper. Melrose peppers are a type of sweet pepper ranging in color from green to red, that are mainly grown in the Chicago area (though now you can order seeds and plant them anywhere). Below are some green Melrose peppers we found at Mariano’s – you can see how they look like hot peppers – but they have no heat.
Having grown up in Chicago, I am surprised that I have not learned about the Melrose pepper’s existence until now. A recent Chicago Tribune article featuring the peppers was my first introduction, though my mom says that my Italian grandmother used to mention Melrose peppers. The peppers actually have their roots in Italy, and the seeds were brought over to Chicago by Neapolitans Joseph and Lucia Napolitano in 1903. The pepper that they transported grew wild in Southern Italy, and really took to the soil of Chicagoland, specifically the Napolitano’s home Melrose Park (from where they get their name). The peppers proliferated throughout the gardens of Italian-Americans in Melrose Park, and became a Chicago classic over the decades.
Outside of home gardens, you can also now find Melrose Peppers in August at Caputo’s and Mariano’s supermarket locations throughout Chicagoland (I would recommend that you call for availability). You can also buy seeds at Reimer Seeds or Southern Exposure (which is what we plan on doing next year). You can prepare Melrose Peppers similarly to bell peppers, though they are not as pungent, and are sweeter. A popular Melrose Pepper recipe is stuffing the peppers with Italian sausage, and the Tribune has another recipe for stuffed peppers along with other preparations. We have tried Melrose Peppers a few ways, and even though we do not like green peppers (or at least one of us doesn’t), we really enjoyed the taste – and history!
Eating The World 
Those are my great great great grandparents! This is so cool I remember my grandma telling me that her grandparents brought over some peppers from Italy and sold them at their fruit and vegetable stand in Chicago and that they were famous. These peppers would have been originally from Nocera Inferiore Italy just south of Napoli not too far from Salerno. Do you know where I could get some peppers or seeds? I would love to surprise my grandmother with these!
knew Tom Naples (Shortened from Napolitano). My family were original residents of Melrose Park, originally all farm field and now… Now.
Melrose Peppers? What can I say? I am an accomplished chef well in my senior year… I grew up in Melrose Park, my mom and sisters all worked at Naple’s Fruit Stand (the Napolitano families wonderful fruit & vegetable market.)
Melrose Peppers, the Amazing and Historic weeklong Italian Feast! Kiddielamd, trips to Wrigley Field, 3 to 5.bus loads of kids! Paid for certain ‘Family’ donors to the Memorial Park. District… Big Al woulda’ been proud!
But Summer.. it was a time of anticipation for virtually everyone in the surrounding communities! Come late July give or take depending of weather, trucks would unload literal tables loads of green, fresh picked Melrose Peppers! The ables we piled easily 3+ feet high with the aromatic green fruit!
Lines, and I mean LINES of people surrounded the incredible bounty! It was so crazy and manic that I could never stop laughing as I clutched my own full size shopping bags jostling, politely always , waiting for my own chance to fill my shopping bags with this rare delicious treat !
okay, prepping Melrose Peppers; rinse (duh!)
Cut the stem off at the shoulder high up just next to the stem. The SEEDS inside the peppers have wonderful flavor adding a very savory… Umami taste! Trust me! Leave the see s UNLESS you plan on stuffing the peppers with Italian Sausage, Mozzarella cheese, Cheddar if you prefer or my own favorite Boursin Cheese (Garlic & Herb and now Black Garlic)…
fry peppers in Olive Oil and generous thin sliced or grated fresh garlic.. salt moderately… Saute until peppers begin the caramelize… Light to moderate brown shoulders.. I like to grate fresh Parmesan cheese over my peppers.
Seeverd on French Bread, Ciabatta Roll or Baguette… Drizzle some of the garlic infused oil from the pan… MANGIA BUONO!
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I don’t eat very hot, spicy foods. If I use hot peppers, I combine them with a very mild (no heat!) pepper. Melrose Peppers are a local favorite.
The Naples market was owned by my great great great grandparents. Would love to find out where their home in Italy was we are planning a trip in 2025 and would love to locate the area or home they lived in.