When Stuffed Peppers Were Cheap

“What do you want me to make?” I always ask my three adult sons before they come to visit me. They all respond, “Stuffed peppers.” In the “burbs’ painted with condos and townhouses the cost of making stuffed peppers has sky rocketed. Stuffed peppers were cheap for my mom to make. All it took was a quick walk around the neighborhood gardens and the “paisani” generously handed to her the ingredients: peppers, parsley, garlic, basil, oregano and tomatoes and sometimes even a loaf of stale bread. Mom only had to buy eggs, cheese and ground beef. During these walks I loved to listen as the “condantini” (farmers) reluctantly shared their secrets for healthy soil: a rusty railroad spike, a fish head and worms. These were the three main ingredients in Miracle Grow—iron, zinc and nitrogen.

Today in the “burbs” a batch (10) of peppers stuffed with ground beef can be costly (about $20.00) if you don’t have a generous garden friend. For example:

10 peppers $3.50 (summer) $7.00 (winter) Not easy to find medium size.
Garlic .50
Grated cheese .75
Fresh parsley 1.50
Lean ground beef 8.00
Eggs .60
Stale bread 2.49
Can of tomatoes 1.99
(crushed)

Anchovy Stuffed Peppers
My favorite recipe and a lot cheaper than beef -stuffed is anchovy and bread stuffed peppers. My father and siblings hated anchovies. My mom and I loved this recipe and really enjoyed not sharing with the rest of the family.

Note: Amount of Ingredients depends on size of peppers and how strong you like the flavors and anchovies.

Soak a stale loaf of bread in water. Squeeze out the water; add a can of flat anchovy fillets packed in oil, fistful of grated cheese, lots of fresh parsley, chopped garlic, an egg or two and black pepper. If you like add some oregano or basil but I like just the parsley. Mix it with your hands until it feels good or the anchovies look like little flecks. Stuff 4-5 peppers, top with sauce and bake. Smells and tastes delicious served hot or cold.