cascabel

Definition

A small, round, hot variety of chili pepper, Capsicum annuum, which rattles when dry.

Etymology

From Spanish cascabel (“bell, rattle”).

Example Sentences

• "The very pungent Mexican Cascabel looks a lot like the Cherry pepper when it is growing.[…]In the dry state the skin becomes translucent and the seeds are loose so that they rattle, hence cascabel, which means sleigh or jingle bells. Another cultivar, the elongate Catarina, is often called Cascabel because its dry seeds also make a noise within its translucent dry skin."
• "Cascabels are available dried in Latin American markets. Hot and nutty in flavor, cascabels are good in sauces, beans, and chilis."
• "Prepare the cascabels using one of the methods in the Preparing Cascabels box, at left."