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In Trumbull County, Ohio, hot peppers in oil aren’t just a side; they’re a spicy symbol of Italian-American heritage. From homemade jars to restaurant favorites, discover why this beloved tradition still sizzles across Northeast Ohio.
Once upon a time, I was at a friend’s birthday dinner in the middle of Pennsylvania. The two dozen or so guests were from all over the country, with the birthday girl herself raised in Colorado and the Washington, D.C. area.
I don’t know for certain where the chef was from, but I’d wager a guess that he’d spent time in Northeast Ohio, because he put hot peppers in oil on the table. The other guests, dumbfounded, stared at the little bowls of cut peppers, unsure how to proceed.
“You put them on the bread,” I said. “Or you can eat them with a fork. You can even put them on the chicken if you want.” They looked at me skeptically until the birthday girl’s brother shrugged and slung some peppers onto a slice of Italian bread. His eyes lit up with pleasant surprise.
“See?” I said. “I told you.”
In Trumbull County, we take our peppers in oil seriously. I can scarcely remember a family gathering without them—though my not-so-Italian family has always preferred sweet peppers to the hot ones.
Every year, the local baseball team, the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, renames itself the Mahoning Valley Peppers in Oil for one special game. They wear “spicy” custom jerseys, serve peppers in oil, and even hold a contest where judges vote on the best batch – a coveted title that comes with serious bragging rights. (This year’s game is August 4, 2025, if you’re wondering.)
And of course, just about every Italian restaurant in Trumbull County serves peppers in oil, with many of them making theirs fresh in-house. We’ve got a whole Italian Food Trail’s worth of restaurants – so yes, that’s a lot of peppers.
A Spicy Tradition
Peppers in oil are described by one local canner as a “traditionally spiced, flavor-rich topping enjoyed on artisan bread, pizza, grilled meats, hamburgers, salads, pasta, and more.”
Peppers became popular – and then a staple – in Trumbull and Mahoning counties in the late 19th century, thanks to European immigrants. The tradition is rooted in culinary practices from the Calabria region of southern Italy.
Peppers are usually canned when they’re perfectly ripe, typically in late summer or early fall. Hungarian hots, the pepper of choice for many canners, fall between 5,000 and 10,000 on the Scoville heat scale. But don’t worry—if spicy isn’t your jam, you can also find sweet peppers in oil.
So, which are the best peppers in oil? Well, they’re all pretty good, and everyone has a favorite. Here are a few you should definitely try:
Locally Canned
Abruzzi’s Peppers in Oil claims to be the original, and I’m certainly not going to argue. The Abruzzi family has been canning and selling hot and sweet peppers in oil since the 1960s. You can find their jars in most Trumbull County grocery stores or order them online. They even ship nationwide, including to Alaska and Hawaii!
AK’s Italian Hots, canned right out of Niles since 2020, offers both spiced Hungarian peppers and a unique ketchup-sauced version. You can find them at many area Giant Eagle stores and at Scarpaci’s Produce, which, by the way, has a whole wall of hot peppers to choose from.
Barney’s Hot Peppers are another locally made favorite. Popularized by grocer Barney Macali, these classic peppers are available at the Giant Eagle on Elm Road in Warren.
Delirium Pickling, based in Warren, brings a bold twist to the pepper game. Their pickled Hungarian peppers, jalapeños, and sweet tomato sauce peppers began with a love for preserving seasonal flavors. Owners Rhonda Baldwin-Amorganos and Nicholas Amorganos continue to experiment with flavor while honoring tradition. You’ll find their jars at area farmers’ markets or online.
Donofrio’s Peppers in Oil, crafted in the Molise style of Italy, are locally made by Joe Schmo’s Kitchen. They’re available in some local restaurants and many Trumbull County grocery stores.
Papa Canzonetta Italian Peppers in Oil comes from local chef Jeff Canzonetta, who started canning in the family garage back in 1975. These Italian-style peppers are available in original, hot, or mild, and sold at dozens of local stores and restaurants or online.
422 Hot Peppers in Oil, made by Café 422 in Warren, are called “Famous Hot Peppers” for good reason. You can buy them at the restaurant, in select stores, or online, and yes, they ship, too.
Restaurant Peppers
While you can’t go wrong with a locally canned jar, some of the best peppers in oil in Trumbull County come straight from local restaurants by the pint, or sometimes even by the quart. Here are a few spots where you can grab house-made peppers to go:
Jimmy’s Italian Specialties, located on Belmont Avenue in Liberty Township, is a go-to for all things Italian: cookies, sauces, pasta, and yes, peppers in oil. You can pick up jarred peppers or buy Jimmy’s house-made version in pints.
Pesa Italian Rolls, on East Market Street in Howland, is known for its homemade pepperoni, spinach, salami, and cheese rolls. Like any good family-owned Italian spot in Trumbull County, they also serve up fresh peppers in oil, made in-house and available in multiple sizes.
Sunrise Inn of Warren has you covered for all your pepper needs. You can order their homemade peppers by the pint or quart, or pick up popular local brands like Donofrio’s and Papa Canzonetta’s, both available on-site.
So next time you’re in Trumbull County, try a few kinds of peppers in oil to see which you like best—or grab a jar to take home. Whether you’re into hot or sweet, homemade or restaurant-made, one thing’s for sure: peppers in oil make the perfect gift, travel souvenir, or addition to your next meal. It’s a Northeast Ohio flavor you won’t forget.
