Core a pepper without scattering the cores all over the kitchen? This works out! Here we present 4 simple ways.
The annoying stalk of a pepper can be removed in many ways. Which method is the simplest cannot be clearly defined. Practically everyone has to find this out for themselves. The fact is, however, that with a few tricks it often works easier than the traditional way of cutting open. However, each method requires a little finesse.
By the way, the method you choose also depends on how you want to process the peppers. If you want to freeze the peppers, fry them or something similar, you can chop them up. The situation is different if you want to skin or stuff the peppers. Then it must remain as whole as possible.
How to easily core a pepper
❍ Option 1 - Push in the stalk
One of the easiest methods is to remove the core by pushing the stalk inward. To do this, place the bottom of the peppers on a cutting board, grasp them with both hands and press the stalk into the peppers from the side. As a rule, the upper flesh detaches from the stalk and you can easily pull it out of the pepper.
The only post-processing required is to cut the peppers lengthwise and remove the remaining seeds and whitish skin with a knife.
❍ Option 2 - use PET bottle caps
Whether this method works depends on the size of the stalk. If this is not larger than the diameter of a PET bottle cap, it can easily be used to remove it. To do this, simply proceed as follows:
- Shorten the stalk (if necessary) if possible
- Place the PET bottle cap around the stalk so that it sits in the middle
- Slowly screw the PET lid into the peppers with a little pressure
- Pull out the PET lid carefully
With a bit of luck, the entire stalk will be removed in this way. Of course, the inner cores have to be removed afterwards.
❍ Option 3 - Use Pepper Hollower
The pepper corer is a special tool, but it works in a similar way to the PET bottle cap. In contrast to him, however, he does not have a closed top. The stalk does not have to be cut off before treatment, but is simply pushed through the opening.
Another advantage is that the bottom edges of the corer are designed to practically cut the peppers open without fraying them or damaging the flesh too much during the coring.
❍ Option 4 - Remove top and bottom
This method is only suitable if you want to chop up the peppers in order to conjure up pepper soup, pepper pesto or pepper spread, for example. For stuffed peppers, you should therefore choose a different method. There are also two variants of this method. Just try which one you like best.
Variant 1:
The top and bottom of the peppers are cut off with a knife. You should make sure that the cut pieces are large enough. You should now be able to reach the inside of the peppers over a wide area. Now cut the peppers on the side with the knife. Now carefully run the knife along the side walls of the peppers. In this way, the shell is removed along with the cores.
Variant 2:
There is another variant of this method. Here the peppers are not placed on their side, but placed with the narrow side on a kitchen board. As a rule, the core is connected to the pepper on four sides, above and below. These are cut through with a knife and the core casing is pressed down. This is also a very easy way to remove it.