[Photograph: katili on Flickr]

After a most unfortunate cooking accident involving a ton of jalapenos and me not properly washing my hands after slicing them (you do the math), I came to love the less traumatizing bell pepper, which can be had at its freshest in these later months of the year. The veggie is native to Mexico, Central America, and northern parts of South America, but you'll of course have no trouble picking up a few at your local grocery store or produce market. Perfect for everything from stir-fries to tacos (learn how to chop them here), it's always a good idea to have a few in the fridge, just in case.

Bell Pepper Recipes

• Veal and Peppers
• Easy Corn Salad
• Pepper and Sausage Ragu with Polenta
• Roasted Pepper Salad
• Pepper Hash for Philly Combo Hot Dogs
• Eggplant, Tomato, and Pepper Casserole
• Sausage Stuffed Peppers
• Sweet Pepper Salad
• Green Bell Peppers: Way or No Way? [Talk]

How do you use your bell peppers?