Giardiniera Pickles Recipe: A Seasonal Delight for Pickling Enthusiasts

As the seasons change, our gardens begin to overflow with an abundance of fresh vegetables. What better way to preserve the flavors of the season than by creating a delicious giardiniera pickle? In this article, we’ll explore the art of making giardiniera pickles, a traditional Italian recipe that’s perfect for pickling enthusiasts.

What is Giardiniera?

Giardiniera, which translates to “garden” in Italian, is a type of pickle that originated in Italy. This versatile pickle is made with a variety of vegetables, typically including hot and sweet peppers, and is meant to be made with whatever is available in the garden. The beauty of giardiniera lies in its flexibility, allowing you to get creative with the ingredients you have on hand.

The Flavor Profile

A traditional giardiniera pickle typically includes a mix of hot and sweet peppers, which gives it a unique flavor profile. The heat from the hot peppers is balanced by the sweetness of the sweet peppers, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. This pickle is perfect for adding a burst of flavor to sandwiches, pasta salads, and grilled meats.

Making Giardiniera Pickles

To make giardiniera pickles, you’ll need a variety of vegetables, including zucchini, yellow squash, kohlrabi, cauliflower, sweet peppers, hot peppers, carrots, celery, onions, yellow beets, radishes, green tomatoes, and cucumbers. You’ll also need salt, garlic, hot chiles, fresh oregano, red pepper flakes, celery seeds, black peppercorns, water, and white wine vinegar.

Fresh vegetables for giardiniera pickles

Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients

• 3 quarts mixed chopped vegetables
• 1/2 cup salt
• 4 cloves garlic, quartered
• 4 hot chiles, halved
• 1 bunch fresh oregano
• 2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp celery seeds
• 2 tsp crushed black peppercorns
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 1/2 cups white wine vinegar

Instructions

1. Cut the vegetables into chunks, slices, or planks, making sure they’re similarly sized.
2. Combine the vegetables and salt in a large bowl, covering with water. Let it sit on the countertop overnight.
3. The next day, drain the vegetables and rinse them thoroughly with cold water.
4. Prepare your water bath canner and place 4-5 pint jars in the water bath to warm.
5. Bring the vinegar and water to a simmer in a separate pot.
6. Divide the garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, celery seed, and peppercorns among the jars.
7. Pack the vegetables into the jars, then pour over the vinegar solution.
8. Add the lids and process the pints for 10 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

To serve, dress the pickles with a tablespoon or two of olive oil, coarse salt, and freshly ground pepper. Enjoy your delicious giardiniera pickles on sandwiches, in pasta salads, or alongside a grilled steak.

Giardiniera pickles ready to be enjoyed

Conclusion

Giardiniera pickles are a delicious way to preserve the flavors of the season. With this simple recipe, you can create a versatile pickle that’s perfect for adding a burst of flavor to any dish. So, gather your vegetables and get creative with your giardiniera pickles!