Sweet Pickled Garden Vegetables

lauralie41's Note:

I love the pickled vegetables from the grocery store and this recipe sounds even better. This recipe comes from The New Polish Cuisine by Chef Michael J. Baruch and it is in the savory salad section.

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 1 quart

• 2 lbs assorted fresh vegetables , such as Kirby cucumbers, baby carrots, celery, cauliflower, red peppers, and pearl onions
• 2 ½ cups water , cooled
• ¼ cup cider vinegar
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
• 1 teaspoon pickling spices
• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorn
• 8 sprigs fresh dill

Directions:

1. Using a glass bowl combine water, vinegar, sugar, sea salt, pickling spice, and peppercorns until well mixed.
2. Wash and dry vegetables, than cut into florets. In another glass bowl place the vegetables and dill, then pour all the brine over them.
3. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 to 4 days before serving.

Reviews

[Chef Kate]

This is another recipe where I went back and forth--4*/5*--I finally decided 5* because my reservations involved my particular preferences. But these pickles were all that Lori promised--after marinating, they were still crisp and retained their individual flavor. They were a little sweeter than I would choose, but after all, they were sweet pickles. I added one little hot pepper and a few cloves of garlic. For my taste, when I do these again (and I will) I will use a little less water, a little more vinegar, yet another chili pepper and I will cut the baby carrots into even smaller pieces. The best were the cucumbers and the chunks of celery--still crispy but delightfully piquant. What was most surprising about this recipe was that even after extra time in the marinade, the vegetables were still crisp and maintained individual flavor.

[Chocolatl]

I took the advice of the other reviewers and subbed a little more vinegar for some of the water. I used peppers, celery, onions and elephant garlic. These are sooo good--crisp and flavorful, but each vegetable retains its individual character. I'll definitely make these again.

[Roosie]

Yum! I took Chef Kate's advice and added a little extra vinegar and a little less water, and it was lovely. I pickled broccoli (some florets and some stems), cucumber, garlic, red bell peppers and carrots. I could eat these all day! Great side for a sandwich or just a healthy snack. I like that this is so versitile- I think the sweetish flavor would go with any veggie you've got kicking around the house. They maintain their own flavors, like Chef Kate said, and the brine compliments each veggie in its own way. I really want to try this with the celery, but its horribly expensive right now. I will make this again, though! If you haven't tried this yet, Lauralie, you oughta!