Hot Chilli Peppers in Jar 280 g — Ortoledda
Sliced Sicilian hot chilli peppers (60%), flavoured with vinegar and preserved in sunflower seed oil, in a 280 g glass jar. Produced by Ortoledda S.r.l. in Caltagirone (Catania), a family-run Sicilian preserving company founded in 1996, they combine a firm bite with a clean, intense heat and are ready to use straight from the jar: no washing, no slicing, no waste. A pantry staple for pizzerias, trattorias, delicatessens and ambitious home cooks who want authentic Mediterranean spice always at hand.
What Is a Sicilian Chilli Pepper Preserve
Preserving vegetables in oil is one of the oldest traditions of southern Italian gastronomy: the harvest is processed at its peak and kept ready for the rest of the year. In this recipe the hot chilli peppers are sliced, lightly flavoured with vinegar and covered with sunflower seed oil, a neutral medium that protects the product and absorbs its aroma. The result is a condiment with a firm texture and an intense, direct flavour that represents the Mediterranean taste for honest, sun-driven heat.
The Producer: Ortoledda, Caltagirone (Sicily)
Ortoledda S.r.l. was founded in 1996 in Caltagirone, in the province of Catania, and has been producing oil-preserved vegetables according to traditional Sicilian recipes for almost 30 years. The company is run by the Ledda family — Caterina, Giuseppe and their son Michele — and works in a modern production facility with several packaging lines and controlled production steps. Next to the plant, the Dispensa Ortoledda showroom displays the full range of preserves in all formats.
Sensory Profile
Bright red slices with a firm, snappy consistency. The heat is assertive but balanced, supported by the slight acidity of the vinegar and rounded off by the sunflower oil. Unlike dried chilli flakes, the preserved slices keep a vegetal freshness that works both raw and in cooked preparations.
Technical Specifications
Net weight 280 g in a glass jar. Ingredients: sliced hot chilli peppers (60%), flavoured with vinegar (sulphites), sunflower seed oil, salt, acidity regulator E330. Average nutritional values per 100 g of drained product: energy 284 kJ / 68 kcal, fat 5.3 g of which saturates 0.5 g, carbohydrates 3.5 g of which sugars 1.4 g, protein 1.7 g, salt 0.98 g. Shelf life 24 months from production; once opened, keep refrigerated. Allergens: sulphites; may contain gluten, eggs, tuna, anchovies, tree nuts (walnuts, pistachios) and celery. EAN 8029042001266.
Professional Uses
The producer's own recommendation: penne all'arrabbiata, grilled meat and vegetables, and cereal or legume soups. In food service they shine as a ready spicy element: a few slices in the pan with garlic and peeled tomatoes turn into an arrabbiata in minutes; added to a pizza after baking they keep their texture; chopped into a salami and cheese platter they give the spicy counterpoint. The seasoned oil left in the jar is a finished condiment for bruschetta, focaccia and pizza bases.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not fry the slices for a long time at high heat: the chilli turns bitter and the heat becomes aggressive — add them in the last minutes of cooking. Do not throw away the preserving oil: it is aromatised and replaces chilli oil. Do not leave the opened jar in a warm kitchen: once opened it must be refrigerated and the slices kept covered by oil.
Pairings
Natural partners from the Italian pantry: peeled tomatoes and penne for arrabbiata, extra virgin olive oil and garlic for bruschetta, aged pecorino and cured meats for platters, grilled vegetables and white meats from the barbecue. In a Sicilian key they pair with caponata, olives and oil-preserved artichokes for a complete antipasto board.
Delivery and Logistics
Ambient product, no cold chain required. B2B and B2C delivery from the LAPA warehouse in Embrach (Zurich): direct distribution with the LAPA fleet across Zurich, Winterthur, Uster, Schaffhausen, St. Gallen, Aargau, Bern and Basel; for Ticino (Lugano, Mendrisio), French-speaking Switzerland (Geneva, Lausanne, Fribourg), Valais (Sion, Martigny) and Graubuenden (Chur, Davos) shipping within 24-48 hours with partner couriers (Swiss Post, Planzer, Galliker). Ideal for stock orders by professional kitchens.
Who It Is For
Pizzerias and restaurants that want a ready spicy topping, delicatessens and Italian grocery stores looking for authentic Sicilian preserves with a recognisable brand, hotels and catering for antipasto buffets, and private customers who love bold Mediterranean flavours. One jar, many services: condiment, topping, antipasto and seasoned oil in a single 280 g format.
