Peperoni Ripieni alla Pugliese

Served with a salad, this makes a wonderful vegetarian main course or antipasto dish. The countryside of Puglia is incredibly fertile, producing abundant grain, tomatoes, grapes, artichokes, lettuces, fennel, bell peppers and onions, as well as fine olive oil. Local cooks have a simple dictum that translates as: ‘There’s no need to complicate things: just combine the best local ingredients and delicious dishes will practically create themselves.