Shishito Crisps

"If you’ve never tried shishitos before, one thing that sets them apart from their pepper peers is their unpredictability. For the most part, shishitos are pleasantly mild and easy-eating peppers, with a delicate, almost sweet flavor profile. However, one in every ten to twenty packs just enough capsaicin to provide a fun little pop of heat. There’s no easy way to tell a mild shishito from a hot one, so enjoying them as an appetizer becomes something of a game of chance. It turns out that those same elements of savoriness and surprise are also present when you vacuum-fry them until they’re a satisfyingly crunchy snack—which is precisely what Trader Joe’s Shishito Crisps are. Made for us by a supplier in Thailand, these superlatively light and Crisp snacks are made with just three ingredients: Shishitos, rice bran oil, and salt. On their own, they make an excellent anytime snack. With a sandwich, soup, or rice bowl, they make a delightful side. And when enjoyed with a spread of cheeses like Cotswold® or Cambozola®, they provide some crucial textural and flavor contrast—as well as the occasional bit of peppery spice."