Zing Tasting: Piment d'Espelette

Know it:  
Piment d'Espelette is a chili that originated in South America and flourished in the  Basque region of Southwest France. Since the 17th century its been used in the area for everything from flavoring chocolate to curing ham.

Look at it: 
Flecks of orange and red chili

Smell it: 
A bit smokey and sweet

Taste it: 
Light, sweet spiciness.  The heat is somewhere between an Anaheim chili and a jalapeno.

Great with:

Egg dishes, fish, Martelli Pasta

Zing Tasting: Spicy Sun Dried Tomato Spread

Know it:

Spicy Sun Dried Tomato Spread From the Tunisian estate of Majid Mahjoub, where sun drying is no hands-off operation

Look at it:

Deep red paste topped with Majid's estate olive oil

Smell it:

Garlic, coriander, heat

Taste it:

Concentrated tomato sweetness, spice from red hot piment, earthiness from caraway seeds

Great with:  
Farm Bread, grilled asparagus, sauteed onions and Ortiz Tuna

Land of Zing

Reminiscing about the West Coast, but it's good to be back at ZMO...