Local organic Corno di Toro peppers, an Italian heirloom variety with a long, tapering, curved shape that gave rise to its name: "Corno di Toro" translates from Italian to "horn of the bull," a nod to the pepper's resemblance to a bull's horn. The peppers start out green and ripen to a deep red or yellow depending on the strain, with a thin, glossy skin over thick, crisp fleshand a central cavity holding pale ribs and flat, cream-colored seeds. The flavor is sweet and fruity with little to no heat, making it closer to a bell pepper than anything spicy. Their thin walls and substantial flesh make them well suited to high-heat cooking: halve and grill or roast until the skins char and the sugars concentrate, or fry them whole in the Italian style until soft and blistered. They also hold up well raw, sliced into salads or antipasto boards, and their long, hollow shape makes them a natural choice for stuffing. Pairs well with olive oil, garlic, capers, and anchovies.
Rock Tavern, NY
Halal Pastures is a certified organic and halal farm based in Upstate NY, founded by husband-and-wife team Samer and Diane Saleh. They are dedicated to providing exceptional tasting organic vegetables and halal meats and meat products. Over a decade ago, a single article about Egypt rejecting genetically modified corn sparked their journey. At the time, the only food label they paid attention to was “halal”, but that moment led them to question how food is grown and what truly makes it pure.
Determined to feed their family food that was not only halal but tayyab (pure), the Salehs began growing it themselves. What started as a personal mission soon grew into Halal Pastures, a farm rooted in the values of health, ethics, and transparency.
Today, Halal Pastures cultivates thousands of vegetable varieties using regenerative practices that foster biodiversity and enrich the soil. The farm never uses chemical pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or genetically modified seeds. Instead, they focus on nourishing the land and growing clean, flavorful produce that reflects the care behind every step of the process.
With a deep commitment to transparency and traceability, the Salehs remain hands-on in every part of the farm’s operations.