Scotch bonnet peppers

Scotch bonnet / ata rodo (Yoruba)

Flavor and role

Very hot round chilies with a fruity, sweet aroma. Essential in West African and Caribbean cooking.

Typical dishes and uses

Jollof rice, jerk chicken, pepper soup, hot sauce.

Substitutes

Habanero 1:1. For milder heat, 2 Korean cheongyang chilies (or serranos) + a little red bell pepper.

Storage

Refrigerate 1-2 weeks, freeze 6 months. Wearing gloves when handling is safest.

Main countries

Jamaica · Nigeria · Ghana

Used in this book

Jollof RiceAckee and SaltfishCeebu Yapp (Senegalese Lamb and Onion Rice)Jamaican Curry GoatEfo RiroEgusi SoupGhanaian Groundnut Soup (Nkatenkwan)Jamaican Beef PattiesJerk ChickenKeleweleKontomire StewGhanaian Light SoupBeef MaféMoi Moi (Nigerian Steamed Bean Pudding)Nigerian Fried RiceNigerian Goat Meat Pepper SoupRed-Red (Ghanaian Bean Stew with Fried Plantain)Jamaican Rice and PeasThieboudienne (Senegalese Fish and Rice)Chicken YassaOvernight-Soaked Ackee and Saltfish with Jamaican Fried DumplingsAckee and Saltfish Cream LinguineTwice-Cooked Lamb Ceebu Yapp with Mustard-Caramelised OnionsSlow-Braised Curry Goat with a Fresh-Toasted Curry BlendCurry Goat Birria-Style Tacos (Jamaican × Mexican)Beef Shin Efo Riro with Prawns, Smoked Fish and Two GreensEfo Riro Shakshuka with Baked Eggs (Nigerian × North African)Efo Riro Cheese Toastie with Smoked FishSeared Beef and Smoked Fish Egusi with Scent LeafEgusi Chicken Korma (Nigerian x North Indian)Egusi Spinach Egg Muffins with Smoked FishFish Fataya with Rof Herb Paste and Scotch Bonnet Onion SauceFresh-Roasted Groundnut Soup with Goat and Rice BallsGroundnut Soup Tantanmen-Style Ramen (Ghanaian × Japanese)Rough-Puff Jamaican Beef Patties with Braised Scotch Bonnet BeefJamaican Curry Beef Gyoza with Scotch Bonnet–Lime Dipping Sauce (Jamaican × Japanese)Jamaican Patty Crunchwrap with Mango SalsaPimento-Smoked Charcoal Jerk ChickenJerk Chicken Rasta PastaJerk Chicken Puff Patties with Mango-Lime DipSmoky Party Jollof with Crispy Spiced ChickenChorizo and Prawn Jollof PaellaCheesy Jollof Stuffed PeppersToasted-Spice Kelewele with Roasted Groundnuts and Lime Chilli SaltKoobi Kontomire Stew with AmpesiKontomire Saag Paneer (Ghanaian × Indian)Crispy Kontomire Egusi Fritters with Hot MayoCharred-Tomato Goat Light Soup with Garden EggsLight Soup Rice Noodle Bowl (Ghanaian × Vietnamese)Light Soup Glazed Chicken SkewersOven-Braised Lamb MaféMoi Moi Elemi Meje (Banana-Leaf Moi Moi with Smoked Mackerel, Prawns and Egg)Moi Moi Bindaetteok with Kimchi (Nigerian × Korean)Cheesy Baked Moi Moi MuffinsOwambe Party Fried Rice with Homemade Stock, Liver and PrawnsNigerian Fried Rice Omurice with Scotch Bonnet Ketchup (Nigerian × Japanese)Nigerian Fried Rice Arancini with Scotch Bonnet MayoClear Goat Pepper Soup with Fresh-Toasted SpicesChicken Wonton Pepper Soup with Scent Leaf Oil (Nigerian x Cantonese)Oven-Crisp Pepper Soup Wings with Scent Leaf Yogurt DipSmoked Mackerel Red-Red with Kelewele-Spiced PlantainRed-Red Shakshuka with Crispy Plantain (Ghanaian x North African)Sunday Rice and Peas from Dried BeansJerk Chicken Rice-and-Peas PaellaRestaurant-Style Thieboudienne with Fish Stock and NététouCoconut Waakye with Jerk Chicken (Ghanaian x Jamaican)Charcoal-Grilled Chicken Yassa with Lime-Caramelised Onions

Updated 2026-10-10