RECIPE

Crisp Pickled Vegetables

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 45 MIN plus 2 days marinating
  • SERVINGS: 10

With a rich meal, Adam Perry Lang likes serving crisp, tangy vegetables to lighten things up. He marinates them for a couple of days in a mix of vinegar, sugar and guajillo chiles for a hint of spice. The vegetables can be served as a starter or alongside the main course.

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 45 MIN
  • OTHER TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 10
  • HEALTHY
  • MAKE-AHEAD
  • VEGETARIAN

Ingredients

  • Ingredients
    1. 3 cups cauliflower florets
    2. 1/2 pound baby carrots, halved lengthwise
    3. 1 fennel bulb, cored and cut into 2-by-1/2-inch matchsticks
    4. 1 red bell pepper, cut into 2-by-1/2-inch matchsticks
    5. 1 zucchini (1/2 pound), cut into 2-by-1/2-inch matchsticks
    6. 1/2 pound yellow wax beans or green beans, cut into 2-inch lengths
    7. 3 dried guajillo chiles, seeded and cut into thin strips
    8. Boiling water
    9. 3 cups cider vinegar
    10. 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
    11. 3/4 cup sugar
    12. 1 tablespoon kosher salt
    13. 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
    14. 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
    15. 1 tablespoon julienned fresh ginger
    16. 1 bay leaf
    17. 8 garlic cloves, smashed
    18. Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
    19. 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
    20. 1/4 cup snipped chives

Directions

  1. In a large, deep, nonreactive bowl or heatproof glass jar, combine the cauliflower, carrots, fennel, red bell pepper, zucchini and beans.
  2. In a medium heatproof bowl, cover the chiles with boiling water and let stand until softened, about 10 minutes. Drain the chiles and transfer to a large saucepan. Add the cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, sugar, salt, coriander, peppercorns, ginger, bay leaf and garlic. Add 3 cups of water and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
  3. Pour the hot liquid over the vegetables and cover with a plate to keep the vegetables submerged. Let cool to room temperature, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days.
  4. Drain the vegetables and transfer to a large platter. Drizzle with olive oil, garnish with the parsley and chives and serve.

Make Ahead

The drained vegetables can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.