cubanelle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialized/Culinary
Quick answer
What does “cubanelle” mean?
A specific variety of mild, sweet frying pepper.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific variety of mild, sweet frying pepper.
A type of pepper intermediate in heat between a bell pepper and a hotter pepper, often used in cooking for its flavor and firm texture when cooked.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively used in North American culinary contexts. In the UK, it is a very rare term; such peppers would likely be described by color, shape, or heat level (e.g., 'sweet frying pepper').
Connotations
In American usage, it connotes a specific ingredient in recipes, often associated with Italian-American or Mediterranean cooking. In British usage, it has little to no cultural connotation due to its rarity.
Frequency
Common in US and Canadian supermarkets and cookbooks; very rare in UK and Commonwealth English.
Grammar
How to Use “cubanelle” in a Sentence
a N of cubanelle (peppers)N cubanelle (pepper)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cubanelle” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The recipe suggested a long sweet pepper, but I used a cubanelle instead.
- Cubanelles can be difficult to find in local greengrocers here.
American English
- Grab a few cubanelles from the produce aisle for the stir-fry.
- I substituted a green bell pepper for the cubanelle in the recipe.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial use.
American English
- No standard adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- A cubanelle pepper relish would be lovely.
- No common adjectival use.
American English
- She made a delicious cubanelle pepper salad.
- The cubanelle variety is perfect for stuffing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the food retail, wholesale, and agricultural sectors.
Academic
Used in botany, horticulture, and culinary arts studies.
Everyday
Used in cooking instructions, shopping lists, and recipe discussions.
Technical
Used as a specific cultivar name in agriculture and seed catalogs.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cubanelle”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cubanelle”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cubanelle”
- Misspelling as 'cubanel', 'cubanell', or 'cubannelle'. Using it as a generic term for any green pepper.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, cubanelle peppers are generally mild and sweet, though very occasionally they can have a slight, mild heat.
Yes, bell peppers are an acceptable substitute in most recipes, though they are blockier and have a slightly different texture when cooked.
The name likely derives from a combination of 'Cuban' (suggesting a Caribbean origin) and the Italian suffix '-elle', reflecting its use in Italian-American cooking.
They are most commonly harvested and sold while light green, but they will turn red if left to fully ripen on the vine.
A specific variety of mild, sweet frying pepper.
Cubanelle is usually specialized/culinary in register.
Cubanelle: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkjuː.bənˈɛl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkjuː.bəˈnɛl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'Cuba' + 'nelle' (like 'bell'). A Cubanelle is a pepper shaped like a bell but often associated with Cuban/Caribbean or Italian (like 'Nella') cuisine.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD AS ETHNIC IDENTITY (the pepper is a vehicle for cultural cuisine).
Practice
Quiz
What is a cubanelle?