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Home » Italian » Calabrian Rabbit with Red Peppers

Calabrian Rabbit with Red Peppers

By Hank Shaw on March 30, 2011, Updated June 23, 2020 - 19 Comments

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4.84 from 6 votes
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calabrian rabbit with peppers recipe
Photo by Holly A. Heyser

Rabbit is my chicken, my white meat. I eat rabbit as often as I can, which is not as often as I should like, but it is still enough that I am always in search of new and interesting rabbit recipes. Every time I buy a new cookbook, I flip to the index and look under “R,” hoping to see a rabbit recipe I’ve not yet cooked.

It was rabbit that first sent me into the field with a gun. Most people start their journey as a hunter in search of mighty bucks or gaudy turkeys or nervous, flighty ducks. Not me. I first took up a gun so I could catch my own rabbits for the pot. Rabbits are the krill of the woods — numerous, fecund, and eaten by almost everything else on the food chain.

They are not hard to kill, but they are very, very easy to miss. Rabbits know this, instinctively. Anyone who has read Watership Down will remember what their god, Frith, told Hazel:

All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and when they catch you, they will kill you… but first they must catch you.

Nothing truer was ever said. I miss far more rabbits that I kill, so when I have one in hand I treat it well. Holly went so far as to collect a whole notebook of rabbit recipes for me one winter and gave it to me as a Christmas present. I could write a whole rabbit cookbook if I wanted, and maybe I should. Someday.

If I do, this recipe will be in it. It is my take on a dish in one of the more interesting Italian regional cookbooks I’ve yet read, Rosetta Costantino and Janet Fletcher’s My Calabria: Rustic Family Cooking from Italy’s Undiscovered South. This book is a trove of cool information, from making rustic breads to pasta to cheeses and preserves; I will be cooking from it often.

I was especially happy to hear that the Calabrians take culinary inspiration from the humble rabbit, and this dish is an exemplar of that, although I suspect I know where it originally comes from. Costantino’s recipe hinges on lots of red peppers and paprika.

There is another dish I cook very often that also hinges on lots of red peppers and paprika: Chilindron, the magnificent Spanish stew typically made with lamb, chicken… or rabbit. The Spaniards spent some time lording over Calabria during the Renaissance, and it is possible that the dish originated in Spain — or that the Spanish dish originated in Calabria.

No matter, both versions are wonderful.

What makes the Calabrian dish special is that typical Southern Italian habit of simmering meats without browning. This aversion to the Maillard reaction preserves the delicacy in many meats, which is especially important in rabbit, but which also does wonders for bolder meats such as venison: I make a Puglian venison stew called callaredda that also skips the browning step.

calabrian rabbit with peppers recipe
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4.84 from 6 votes

Calabrian Rabbit with Red Peppers

Either wild or domestic rabbit works well here, but remember that a domestic rabbit will serve two or three people and a cottontail will serve only one, or maybe two. If you want to stretch things a bit, serve this with lots of crusty bread, polenta or short pasta.
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time1 hr 15 mins
Total Time1 hr 35 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 613kcal
Author: Hank Shaw

Ingredients

  • 1 store-bought rabbit or 2 cottontail rabbits, cut into serving pieces
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1/2 pound Italian sausage, cut into large pieces (hot or sweet)
  • 4 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano or marjoram
  • 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon Calabrian hot pepper paste or 2 teaspoons Sriracha hot sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
  • 1 cup roasted red peppers, cut into slices

Instructions

  • Cut the rabbits into serving pieces. Here is a primer on how to cut up a rabbit.
  • Find a wide, shallow pot. A large, high-sided saute pan is a good choice, but one of those earthen braziers is even better. Arrange the rabbit pieces in the pot and just barely cover with water. Bring to a simmer and add a healthy pinch of salt and the bay leaves. Skim any scum that forms on the surface of the water.
  • Simmer the rabbit uncovered for 1 hour, turning the pieces from time to time as the water cooks away; this keeps both sides moist.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Keep turning the rabbit and sausage pieces so they are coated in the sauce, and when it thickens enough -- about another 10-15 minutes -- you are ready to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 613kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 64g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 246mg | Sodium: 1063mg | Potassium: 1364mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2049IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 11mg
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Filed Under: Italian, Recipe, Wild Game

Avatar for Hank Shaw

Hank Shaw

Hey there. Welcome to Hunter Angler Gardener Cook, the internet's largest source of recipes and know-how for wild foods. I am a chef, author, and yes, hunter, angler, gardener, forager and cook. Follow me on Instagram and on Facebook.

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Comments

  1. Avatar for ChrisChris says

    October 25, 2020 at 3:07 pm

    What’s the 3 tbsp of olive oil for? And are we adding the sausage in at the same time as the rabbits or along with the rest of the ingredients after the simmer? Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for Barely DigestibleBarely Digestible says

    April 22, 2020 at 8:24 am

    Hank, another good example of why you are my family’s go-to site for recipes In A Time Of Covid. Farmer’s market had nice spring rabbits and I had my teenage daughter with me so she egged me on, go for it, we’ll find a good way to do it once we get it home and break it down. Plus she said she’d distract her mom.

    Popped up a few of your recipes, saw this one. I bottle my own calabrian pepper oil and knew I had fresh hungarian paprika in the fridge so it was an easy call. Showed the wife and she gave the ok so long as I kept the heat toned down (I had been tempted to dump half my jar of peppers in along with the oil… glad she made me follow your lead instead).

    Four weeks into lockdown cooking every night but Tuesdays now, and after a lot of dipping crusty bread into the remains of the sauce, wife and child voted your recipe “Best Dinner Yet While Sheltering”. The heat balances the sweetness/umami of the paprika (esp with “fresh” pepper paste not the dried stuff), the red pepper strips are brilliant – soak up that flavor in an unexpected way. The rabbit retains delicacy (I sous vided rather than roasted it, vacseals easily) and yet stands out in the peppery sauce, sort of like a szechuan pepper boiled whole fish. Oops I got too clever not having fresh tomatoes since not in season from the farmers, and tried half-dried sicilian cherry tomatoes – not a fit but it was ok, my family is used to scraping things I add off to the side.

    I can’t submit pics but Friday on BarelyDigestible is “How Long Can I Keep Leftover Easter Bunny Is Two Weeks Still OK?” day and I’ll pop up some pictures of the rabbit breakdown and final result along with the cartoon. And credit you.

    Reply
  3. Avatar for FrankFrank says

    February 4, 2017 at 8:09 am

    Having parents that immigrated to Canada from Calabria this dish was served on a regular bases with both domestic and wild bunnies that my dad and I regularly harvested during our weekly forays into the wilds of Ontario(during the fall)
    It may differ at times but the base of the dish is the same..
    Mouth watering juciy and full of flavour and well deserving of the crustiest bread around to dunk into the sauce

    Reply
  4. Avatar for Nick HainesNick Haines says

    January 26, 2017 at 1:48 pm

    Found this deep in the rabbit archives. Even though it has so few ingredients, this has to be one of the most surprising, flavorful recipes I’ve found on your site. Truly a revelation

    Reply
  5. Avatar for TacovanTacovan says

    March 21, 2012 at 7:35 am

    Made this last night and it came out fantastic. One ingredient I didn’t have on hand was sweet paprika- I substituted smoked hot paprika and halved the amount. I’m glad I did… even just one TBSP of this stuff threatened to overpower the whole thing!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for Hank ShawHank Shaw says

    March 19, 2012 at 10:05 am

    Tacovan: Yep, that’s polenta. But pasta would be good, too.

    Reply
  7. Avatar for TacovanTacovan says

    March 19, 2012 at 7:22 am

    What’s that served on the side? Polenta? I want to make this tomorrow night… maybe I’ll serve it with pasta.

    Reply
  8. Avatar for Hank ShawHank Shaw says

    April 6, 2011 at 2:49 pm

    Amelia: I am a big fan of agrodolce. I’ve done it with several meats, but not rabbit yet.

    Cork: I think it’s better with cottontail or domestic than with a jack. It just feels like more of a white-meat dish.

    Kathleen: Yes, those are my dishes, and no, rabbit is not hard to cut up. You see the links I gave on how to cut up a rabbit? It’s only a little harder than jointing a chicken.

    Dan: Nice Watership Down reference….

    MNAngler: You saw those rotisserie rabbits, too, eh? I am SO doing that. Chengdu BBQ Bunny!

    Rohan: Yep, the saddle on a rabbit does tend to dry out. Sous vide is probably the best way to cook it, but poaching is the next best thing.

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Michael CMichael C says

    April 6, 2011 at 6:59 am

    Love the recipe. And I love rabbit. But I haven’t eaten it much; at least not wild rabbit.

    Life is about balance, or more to the point, marriage is about balance.

    We live in the mountains of Plumas County. Cottontails visit our property every now and then. We love watching them.

    If one of those wound up on the table, the balance of marital bliss would be seriously up-ended. I know my limits.

    But this recipe looks excellent. I might have to buy a domestic rabbit.

    But then I have issues with that. Much of my interest in obtaining my own food has to do with economics. Buying domestic rabbit ain’t cheap!
    But then some times gastronomy wins out over economics.

    Thanks for sharing the recipe.

    p.s. Pre-ordered the book yesterday

    Reply
  10. Avatar for RohanRohan says

    April 5, 2011 at 8:53 pm

    It’s interesting to see the base flavors move from Spain, Italy and Portugal.
    I’ve been cooking Catalan Rabbit for some time now and it’s always a welcome dish, especially in Autumn. Went hunting last night after work, so many rabbits but alas none in my game bag.

    We also tend to poach rabbit and then add it to dish’s as a chicken replacement. It works well, most notably for those that have an aversion to eating them.

    I often find the backstrap dries out especially when cooked slowly at low temp, even when submerged in a stock or broth. The leg’s and the belly are the money cut’s for me. But I’m always trying new recipes, this one is now next on the list.

    Reply
  11. Avatar for MNAnglerMNAngler says

    April 5, 2011 at 2:15 pm

    We’ve tried various versions of rabbit dishes since I started shooting my own in my backyard (for pest control rather than food), but have really only liked one (braised in a dutch oven). Having decided we don’t really like rabbit, my family decided not to cook up anymore.

    But then you had to post this recipe. Between this and the rotisserie rabbit we saw on Bizarre Foods recently, it looks like we’ll be eating rabbit at least twice more.

    Reply
  12. Avatar for GarrettGarrett says

    April 1, 2011 at 7:59 am

    Watership Down Movie = Nightmare Fuel

    Still, awesome post. I love a well cooked rabbit.

    Reply
  13. Avatar for DanDan says

    March 31, 2011 at 8:24 am

    Hank, I’m for the rabbit cook book too. I’d call it: Flay-rah

    Sorry, but I always enjoy a Watership Down reference and had to throw in one of my own.

    Reply
  14. Avatar for Ken albalaKen albala says

    March 31, 2011 at 6:17 am

    Hank, You should do a rabbit book. Delicious, versatile, I’m told really easy to raise too. People should eat more of it. And of course you’ld have to include Louisiana Back Bayou Bunny Bordelaise a la Antoine. “You do not mean THE Antoine of New Orleans?” “I don’t mean Antoine of Flatbush.”

    Reply
  15. Avatar for Kathleen BauerKathleen Bauer says

    March 30, 2011 at 6:59 pm

    I am so making this as soon as I can reserve a rabbit, though I’ll no doubt have them cut it up for me (I’ve heard it’s hard). Second, if these are your dishes I’m so jealous!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for DaveDave says

    March 30, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    I’m really gonna have to give this recipe a try. I’ve been intrigued by idea of combining various meats with peppers and paprika, ever since I tried your Chilindron recipe with venison from an Axis deer. It came out great. Now I’m really looking forward to trying rabbit or pheasant as an alternative. Maybe rabbit w/peppers as done here and I”ll save the pheasant for my next attempt at Chilindron.

    BTW, the book looks like a great gift for my wife. Her family comes from Calabria so much of the content will probably be familiar to her.

    Reply
  17. Avatar for Cork @ CorkCork @ Cork's Outdoors says

    March 30, 2011 at 12:17 pm

    Gawwd, I love rabbit…surprising to many after the pet rabbit killing chapter of my Vietnam prison memoir–but you just can’t get away from how tasty they are! …Would this great looking recipe also work for a jack or hare, Hank; or is it too dark of a meat?

    Gorgeous use of color by Holly, too!

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Amelia from Z Tasty LifeAmelia from Z Tasty Life says

    March 30, 2011 at 12:11 pm

    Rabbit is so succulent and particularly dear to Southern Italians. My family, which is from Sorrento, makes a “coniglio in agrodolce”, which has a sweet and sour sauce, made with a vegetable ragout that includes raisins. The sauce has a tangy flavor, which comes from marinating the rabbit first in vinegar and white wine, and then in lemon.

    Reply
  19. Avatar for Foodies HeavenFoodies Heaven says

    March 30, 2011 at 11:34 am

    Even though i have just eaten, the images in this post made me drool firstly the Rabbit image the the book cover, I have to get that book and indulge in one of foods hidden gems in Southern Italy.
    Your Rabbit recipe will be stored with my others, I live in a country community and often have gluts of rabbit.

    Reply

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Hi, my name is Hank Shaw; I’m a James Beard Award-winning author and chef. I started this site back in 2007 to help you get the most out of all things wild: fish, game, edible wild plants and mushrooms. I also write cookbooks, have a website dedicated to the intersection of food and nature, and do a podcast, too. If it’s wild, you’ll find it here. Hope you enjoy the site!

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