Ingredients

1. 5 cups water
2. 2 cups Champagne or white wine vinegar
3. 1/2 cup sugar
4. 1/2 cup kosher salt
5. 2 medium carrots, cut into very thin matchsticks
6. 2 large shallots, thinly sliced
7. 1 medium fennel bulb--halved lengthwise, cored and sliced lengthwise 1/4 inch thick
8. One 2 1/2-pound head of cauliflower, cut into 1-inch florets
9. 1/2 pound thin green beans or haricots verts
10. Bagna Cauda Vinaigrette
11. 32 marinated anchovy fillets (about 1/2 pound)
12. Freshly ground pepper

Directions

1. In a large glass bowl, combine the water with the vinegar, sugar and salt; stir to dissolve the sugar and salt. Add the carrots, shallots, fennel and cauliflower, submerging them completely in the brine. Cover and refrigerate the vegetables for 24 hours.
2. In a medium saucepan of boiling water, cook the green beans until bright green and barely tender, about 3 minutes. Drain and refresh under cold running water. Pat the beans dry.
3. Drain the pickled vegetables and place in a large bowl. Add the green beans and the Bagna Cauda Vinaigrette and toss well. Arrange the vegetables on plates, top with the marinated anchovy fillets and a sprinkling of freshly ground pepper and serve.

Make Ahead

The pickled vegetables can be drained and refrigerated for up to 5 days. Toss with the green beans and vinaigrette before serving.