Giardiniera: Make Chicago's Italian Inspired Pickle

By Shireen Jamooji

A Chicago staple, this unique vegetable pickle is available in almost every grocery store, but its roots definitely stem from Italy.

Ingredients

1 cup cauliflower florets chopped 5 jalapeno peppers diced 5 serrano peppers diced 1 medium carrot diced 2 celery stalks diced ½ cup salt 1 cup olive oil 1 cup vinegar 4 cloves of garlic minced 2 teaspoons dried oregano ½ teaspoon celery seeds 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper Ground black pepper ½ cup green olives chopped

Step  1

Add peppers, cauliflower, peppers, carrots, and celery to a large bowl add salt and cover in cold water. Refrigerate for between 12-48 hours, covered.

Step  2

Add garlic, oregano, celery seed, crushed red pepper flakes and ground pepper to taste. Add oil and vinegar (or water) and whisk to combine.

Step  3

Drain the vegetable mixture, add chopped olives and then pour in the vinegar and oil mixture.

Step  4

Refrigerate for at least 2 days before serving.