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Chicago giardiniera
Spicy pickled vegetable relish in oil, for sandwiches
Giardiniera came to Chicago with Italian immigrants, and the city made it its own: a hot mix of chopped chillies, celery, carrot and cauliflower, brined overnight then packed in vinegar and oil. It is what Chicagoans pile on an Italian beef sandwich, a pizza or a sausage, and every deli has its own heat level. Chef's tip: don't skip the overnight salt brine; it draws out water so the vegetables stay crunchy for weeks.
- Total time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 16
Ingredients
- 6 serrano or jalapeño chilliessliced into rings
- 1 red pepper1 cm dice
- 3 celery stickssliced
- 2 carrotssliced
- 9 oz cauliflower floretssmall
- 1 ¾ oz salt
- 4 ¼ cups cold water
- 4 cloves garlicsliced
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
- 1 cup white wine vinegar
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Put the 6 serrano or jalapeño chillies, 1 red pepper, 3 celery sticks, 2 carrots and 9 oz cauliflower florets in a large bowl. Dissolve the 1 ¾ oz salt in the 4 ¼ cups cold water, pour over, cover and refrigerate overnight.
720 minStep 2: Drain and rinse the vegetables well and shake dry. A common mistake is not rinsing, which leaves the pickle far too salty.
5 minStep 3: Mix with the 4 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1 tsp chilli flakes and 1 tsp black peppercorns and pack into clean jars.
5 minStep 4: Whisk the 1 cup white wine vinegar and 1 cup light olive oil or sunflower oil and pour over to cover the vegetables. Seal and refrigerate for 2 days before eating. Keep in the fridge and use within 3 weeks.
5 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 70 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbs
- 3 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does chicago giardiniera take?
- About 30 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 16 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Is it very spicy?
- It has some heat. Use less chilli for a milder version, or more if you like it hot.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of red pepper?
- Any colour of bell pepper, same amount.
- What can I use instead of celery sticks?
- Fennel, same weight.
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