Pipi e Patate - Peppers and Potatoes

Throughout the summer, towns and villages in southern Italy burst into life, hosting an array of festivals and events. About this time every August, Vazzano, my family's ancestral town in Calabria, Italyholds the annual Sagra di Pipi e Patate - The Pepper and Potato Festival. Today is the day!
     
Below is a poster for the 2014 festival. Colpo di Fulmine literally means bolt of lightning but also means "love at first sight", finding your soul mate. Peppers and potatoes are a perfect match!

We make this pepper and potato dish in honor of the festival.  

Ingredients:

4  medium white or Yukon gold potatoes - sliced
2 red bell peppers - sliced in strips
1 cubanelle pepper - or a yellow or orange bell - sliced in strips 
1 hot Calabrese pepper (of course) or half a teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 sweet onion cut into half moons
5  cloves of garlic sliced thin
Olive oil as needed
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary - roughly chopped
Juice of half a lemon
salt & pepper 
Pecorino cheese

Procedure:

Salt and pepper the potato slices and drizzle with olive oil in a casserole and roast for 40 minutes at 375.
Meanwhile saute the peppers and onions with the rosemary, garlic and lemon juice in a pan with olive oil until soft and caramelized. 
Mix the peppers with the potatoes in the casserole dish and let the flavors blend. Put back in the oven until browned to your liking.Top with grated pecorino. Good served at room temperature.