Spicy Pickled Cauliflower Escabeche Food

SPICY PICKLED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Combine water, rice vinegar, sugar, salt, and turmeric in a saucepan. Simmer over low heat until sugar and salt have dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Place cauliflower florets in a bowl, toss with kosher salt, and set aside for about 30 minutes.
• Rinse cauliflower and evenly distribute cauliflower florets, chile peppers, garlic cloves, and black peppercorns among 3 pint-sized jars, pressing down so it's tightly packed. Pour brine into the jars, covering the cauliflower.
• Place the lids on the jars, move them to the refrigerator, and marinate for 2 to 3 days before serving. Flavor will be at its peak in about 1 week.

SPICY PICKLED CAULIFLOWER (ESCABECHE)

Steps:

• Add cauliflower florets to a large mason jar or glass container (using as many as needed), along with habanero peppers, jalapeño pepper, garlic, and lime juice. Set aside.
• To a small saucepan add distilled white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and stir to fully dissolve salt and sugar.
• Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more salt or sugar to taste.
• Pour the hot brine over the cauliflower until your glass container(s) are full. Ensure the cauliflower is fully submerged. If needed, add more vinegar or a little water to cover.
• Seal well and shake to combine. Then refrigerate for at least 1 hour. The flavors will deepen and intensify the longer it marinates. Best flavor is achieved after 24 hours.
• Will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks (sometimes longer). Not freezer friendly.

SPICY QUICK-PICKLED CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Place cauliflower florets into a large canning jar. Add garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, mustard seeds, and peppercorns.
• Bring vinegar, water, sea salt, and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until salt and sugar have dissolved, about 5 minutes.
• Pour mixture over the cauliflower mixture, seal, and let cool for 1 hour.
• Place jar in the refrigerator for 24 hours, shaking every 8 hours.

MEXICAN-STYLE PICKLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Pack onion, fresno and carrots into a 1-qt. heatproof jar or a nonreactive container. Toast peppercorn and allspice berries in a dry large saucepan over medium heat, tossing constantly, until just fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add vinegar, sugar, salt and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar and salt. Remove from heat and stir in bay leaf, oregano, lemon zest, lemon juice, and garlic. Let cool slightly, then pour brine over onion, fresno and carrots to submerge. Seal jar and chill at least 3 hours before serving. The flavor will mellow as it sits.
• Do Ahead: Vegetables can be pickled 3 weeks ahead. Keep chilled.

ESCABECHE (PICKLED VEGETABLES)

Steps:

• Heat oil in large pan over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add garlic and onions and saute for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Reduce heat to medium and add carrots, peppercorns, thyme, oregano, marjoram and bay leaves. Cover and cook for 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt.
• Add cauliflower, jalapenos, vinegar and 1 cup water. Stir well, cover, and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.
• Add zucchini and jicama. Cover and cook for 5 minutes more. Vegetables should remain crunchy. Do not overcook.
• Transfer to a bowl and discard bay leaves. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Serve at room temperature.