Refrigerator Giardiniera recipe

Name: Refrigerator Giardiniera
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 3 bay leaves; 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 3 cloves garlic, sliced; 3 teaspoons dried oregano; 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced; ½ cup olive oil, or more as needed; ½ cup pickling salt; 1 medium head cauliflower, broken into small florets; cold water to cover; 2 red chile peppers, seeded and sliced into strips; 1 teaspoon crushed black pepper; 1 orange bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch dice; 2 small yellow summer squash - halved, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch sticks; 1 red bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice; 1 large candy onion or mild white onion, halved and sliced into 1/4-inch rings; 3 sprigs fresh oregano; 1 cup white vinegar (5% acidity); ½ cup grapeseed oil, or more as needed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine summer squash, carrots, cauliflower, orange and red bell peppers, onion, and chile peppers in a non-reactive plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Add salt and water to cover. Cover with the lid and shake gently to evenly distribute the salt. Let stand at room temperature overnight.

Step 2

Drain the vegetables in a colander. Rinse thoroughly with cold tap water and drain well.

Step 3

Immerse three 1-quart jars in simmering water to sterilize.

Step 4

Place 1 sliced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 oregano sprig, 1/3 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1/3 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 bay leaf in each jar. Add the vegetables, packing them tightly into the jar but not so tight that they get blemished.

Step 5

Whisk 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup grapeseed oil, and vinegar together in a bowl until evenly combined. Pour mixture over the vegetables so they are completely covered. Mix more vinegar, olive oil and grapeseed oil, in equal amounts, if more liquid is needed.