Giada De Laurentiis is no doubt a lover of Italian food, and her new cookbook Super Italian is certifiable proof of her devotion. So it’s almost impossible to think that the Emmy award-winning television personality may have a food that she doesn’t like—emphasis on “almost.” 

In an exclusive interview with EatingWell, we asked the chef what her least favorite ingredient was, and the food she named is fairly common in Italian cuisine. Here’s what she said.

“I am not a lover of peppers,” De Laurentiis tells EatingWell. “Any kind of pepper, whether it’s red, yellow, green.”

Although we were shocked to learn that the celebrity chef isn’t a fan of a vegetable that is a staple in many Italian dishes, her reasoning is definitely valid.

“I stay away from peppers partly because they don’t like me,” she notes, stating that her and peppers “do not have a great symbiotic relationship.” While bell peppers offer some health benefits, as they’re anti-inflammatory, immune-supporting and a great source of fiber, we support De Laurentiis staying away from peppers if she’s feeling discomfort after eating them.

But this doesn’t mean De Laurentiis doesn’t cook with peppers—in fact, her family is pro-peppers, and she continues to prepare them in many ways.

“My family eats a lot of peppers,” she clarifies. “We grill them, we make them as a relish and I actually have pepper recipes in my book [Super Italian], but I personally stay away from them.”

Some of these recipes include her Peperonata (a stewed sweet pepper dish) and Spaghetti alla Cabiria, which is spaghetti with a briny tomato and bell pepper sauce. If you also have a food allergy or sensitivity to bell peppers, our Garlic-Anchovy Pasta with Broccolini and our Bruschetta Chicken Pasta highlight similar vibrant flavors—no peppers required.