Pickled Vegetable Platter Food

QUICK PICKLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Blanch 1/3 pound each halved baby carrots, green beans and yellow beans, 2 to 4 minutes. Cool in ice water, then put in a glass bowl with 1/2 sliced red onion. Make the brine: Boil 2 cups each white vinegar and water, 1/4 cup kosher salt, 2 bay leaves, 3/4 cup sugar, the zest and juice of 1 lemon, and 1 teaspoon each peppercorns and coriander seeds; pour over the vegetables, then let cool. Chill at least 4 hours.

GIARDINIERA: ITALIAN-STYLE MIXED PICKLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Wash the cauliflower, celery, and bell pepper. Remove the solid core from the cauliflower and break the rest up into approximately 1-inch florets.
• Remove the stem, seeds, and any white pith from the red bell pepper. Chop the celery and pepper into 1-inch pieces. Alternatively, cut the peppers into strips.
• Peel the carrots and chop them into 1-inch pieces.
• Peel the onion and cut it in half. Cut the halves into 1/4-inch thick slices.
• Combine the white wine vinegar, water, salt, and the sugar or honey in a large pot.
• Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat, stirring to dissolve the salt and sugar or honey.
• Add the vegetables to the brine and simmer them for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put the garlic, hot chile pepper (if using), bay leaf, mustard seeds, and whole black peppercorns into a clean glass quart jar.
• Remove the pot from the heat. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the vegetables to the jar.
• Pour the hot brine over the other ingredients. You want the vegetables and spices to be completely immersed in the liquid, but there should still be a 3/4-inch headspace between the surface of the brine and the rim of the jar.
• Pour the extra-virgin olive oil on top of the brine. There should be just enough oil to completely cover the surface of the brine.
• Refrigerate for at least one week before sampling.

PICKLED VEGETABLE PLATTER

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over high heat; add a generous amount of salt. Add cauliflower, and cook until crisp-tender, about 3 1/2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a large heatproof bowl. Repeat with carrots, cooking about 2 1/2 minutes, and then with celery, cooking about 2 minutes; combine with the cauliflower.
• In a medium saucepan over high heat, combine 2 cups water with vinegar, peppercorns, bay leaves, garlic, sugar, and 3 tablespoons salt. Boil until salt and sugar have completely dissolved, about 2 minutes. Immediately pour over vegetables, and gently stir in pepperoncini.
• Let cool completely. Place in an airtight container, and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 1 week. Discard bay leaves. Serve chilled or at room temperature.