Naoumidis Roasted Moustopiperia — Organic Charcoal-Roasted Florina Peppers in Grape Must & Vinegar, 9.2 oz

Red Florina peppers, roasted over charcoal, peeled by hand, and set in vinegar and grape must (petimezi) made from 100% Xinomavro grapes. This is the classic roasted Moustopiperia from the Naoumidis family in Agios Panteleimon, Florina: sweet from the must, bright from the vinegar, with the smoke of the coals still in the flesh of the pepper.

The peppers are hand-peeled so they keep the aroma of the pepper itself. The jar is pasteurized and carries no preservatives. Serve it cold, as a meze, straight from the jar.

What's in the jar

• 100% red Florina pepper, roasted over charcoal
• Vinegar and grape must (petimezi) from 100% Xinomavro grapes
• Garlic and salt
• Nothing else: pasteurized, no preservatives

How to use it

• As a meze — cold, straight from the jar, with bread and a block of Roussas PDO feta
• On a cheese board — the sweet-and-sour edge cuts through aged Graviera and salty cheeses
• In a horiatiki or a grain bowl — slice a pepper into strips and use the liquid as part of the dressing
• In a sandwich — with grilled halloumi or roast chicken
• Alongside grilled meat — lamb, sausages or pork

Producer & origin

The Naoumidis family has worked with the Florina pepper since 1972, when the family ran a restaurant in Agios Panteleimon, on Lake Vegoritida. The formal production unit opened in 2007, on the pepper farm itself, in Amyntaio, Florina, in northern Greece. Every pepper is handled by hand, from the field to the jar.

Quick specs

• Size: 9.2 oz (260 g) glass jar, drained weight about 7 oz (200 g)
• Ingredients: red Florina pepper, vinegar and must from 100% Xinomavro grapes, garlic, salt
• Allergen note: may contain traces of sulfites
• Certification: Organic
• Processing: charcoal-roasted, hand-peeled, pasteurized
• Preservatives: none
• Origin: Agios Panteleimon, Amyntaio, Florina, northern Greece

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does "must" mean in Moustopiperia?
  Must (petimezi) is concentrated grape juice. Here it comes from 100% Xinomavro grapes and is combined with vinegar to hold the roasted peppers. The must gives the sweetness and the vinegar gives the tang.
• Is it spicy?
  No. This classic version uses sweet red Florina peppers. The producer makes a separate hot Moustopiperia, which we do not currently carry.
• How is this different from Filetopiperia?
  Filetopiperia is roasted Florina pepper strips packed in olive oil. This one is set in vinegar and grape must, so it tastes sweeter and tangier and works as a cold meze.
• How do I store it after opening?
  Refrigerate after opening and keep the peppers covered with the liquid from the jar.
• Does it contain allergens?
  The producer notes that it may contain traces of sulfites.