Giardiniera ~ Italian pickles

Giardiniera is a traditional Italian condiment made of pickled vegetables, typically including a variety of vegetables like capsicum, cauliflower, carrots, celery or whatever is in season.

This tangy and crunchy mixture is a flavour bomb and perfect for adding to sandwiches, salads, or antipasto platters.

Making giardiniera at home allows you to customise the mix of vegetables and spices to suit you and use what is in season.

Here's a simple recipe to help you create your delicious giardiniera.

INGREDIENTS

300 gr red capsicum, sliced

300 gr yellow capsicum, sliced

300 gr cauliflower florets

300 gr carrot, sliced

300 gr celery sticks, sliced

300 gr onion, sliced

300 gr cucumber, sliced

1.5 l white wine vinegar

1.5 l water

30 gr salt

30 gr sugar

4 bay leaves

4 juniper berries

10 black peppercorns

METHOD

Prepare all the vegetables. Cut them to your desired thickness and place them in a large bowl.

TIP: To make them more fun, you can use a crinkle cutter.

In a large saucepan, bring the vinegar, water, salt, sugar and spices to a boil, stirring until the salt and sugar are dissolved.

Add the vegetables to the hot vinegar mixture and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are just cooked.

Drain the vegetables and keep the cooking liquid in a separate bowl. Let the 2 mixtures cool to room temperature.

Transfer the vegetables and liquid to a clean glass jar or container, making sure the vegetables are fully covered by the liquid.

Cover the jar with a lid and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving to allow the flavours to come together.

TIP: Feel free to adjust the spice level or vegetable combination to suit your taste preferences. Homemade giardiniera will keep in the refrigerator for several weeks.

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