Fresh Guindilla (Piparra) Peppers

1.5 lb or 3 lb Case · Peak Summer Availability

Our Guindilla peppers—known as Piparras in Spain's Basque Country—are harvested fresh while young, slender, and vibrant green. Unlike the familiar pickled peppers sold in jars, these are offered fresh, with a crisp texture, bright pepper flavor, and mild, pleasant heat that makes them exceptionally versatile in the kitchen.

A staple of Basque and northern Spanish cooking, fresh Guindillas can be blistered in olive oil, grilled, sautéed, or preserved at home. Their thin walls and delicate heat make them one of Spain's most distinctive summer peppers.

This is fresh for cooking and eating. We do not sell seeds or plants. These peppers are sold fresh—not pickled.

What Are Guindilla (Piparra) Peppers?

Guindillas are traditional Spanish heirloom peppers most closely associated with the Basque Country, Navarra, and La Rioja. In the Basque language they are commonly called Piparras, and they have been cultivated for generations as both a fresh summer pepper and a classic pickling pepper.

The peppers are harvested while still green, when their flesh is crisp and tender and their heat remains pleasantly mild. Although many people know them only from jars, they have long been enjoyed fresh throughout northern Spain.

What Do Fresh Guindillas Taste Like?

Fresh Guindillas have a clean, grassy pepper flavor with a gentle, lingering heat that complements rather than overwhelms a dish. Their thin skins cook quickly while maintaining a pleasant bite, making them ideal for simple preparations that showcase their fresh flavor.

The Traditional Pepper for a Gilda

Guindillas—especially the Basque Piparra—are best known as one of the three classic ingredients in the Gilda, the iconic pintxo of San Sebastián. A traditional Gilda combines a pickled Piparra, a green olive, and a salt-cured anchovy on a skewer. Named after the 1946 Rita Hayworth film, it has become one of Spain's most famous tapas.

Starting with fresh peppers allows you to enjoy them at their peak or pickle them yourself using your preferred vinegar, herbs, and seasonings.

How to Use Fresh Guindilla Peppers

Blistered in olive oil and finished with flaky sea salt
Grilled alongside steaks, lamb, seafood, or vegetables
Sautéed with garlic and olive oil
Prepared as homemade pickled Piparras or Guindillas
Added to tapas, pintxos, sandwiches, and charcuterie boards
Sliced into omelets, rice dishes, pasta, or salads
Served whole as a simple accompaniment to cured meats and cheeses

One of the simplest Spanish preparations is to blister fresh Guindillas in good olive oil, sprinkle them with coarse sea salt, and serve them with grilled bread, seafood, or roasted meats. They are equally delicious preserved for later use in Gildas and other tapas.

Quick Pickled Guindillas

Making your own pickled Guindillas is easy and lets you enjoy these traditional Basque peppers long after the season ends.

1 lb fresh Guindilla (Piparra) peppers
2 cups white wine vinegar
1 cup water
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
2–3 cloves garlic (optional)

Bring the vinegar, water, salt, and sugar to a boil until the salt dissolves. Pack the whole peppers into sterilized jars, adding the garlic if desired. Pour the hot brine over the peppers until completely submerged, seal, and refrigerate. They begin developing flavor after about one week and continue improving over the following several weeks.

Once pickled, skewer a Piparra with a green olive and a quality anchovy to make an authentic Gilda, one of the signature bites of Basque cuisine.

Seasonal Availability

Fresh Guindilla peppers are available only during the summer growing season. They are harvested while still green and tender for the finest flavor and texture. Availability is limited and varies with field conditions.

Shipping & Delivery

We ship all produce via overnight delivery nationwide.
At checkout, please select your preferred delivery date.

Order Deadlines:
• Order by Friday at 12 PM EST → Tuesday delivery
• Order by Monday at 12 PM EST → Thursday delivery
If a delivery date falls on a holiday, your box will arrive on the next available business day.

Fresh Guindilla (Piparra) Pepper