Hot italian giardiniera recipe is made with bell peppers, carrots, cauliflower, and celery, just a few of the colourful veggies that are typically used to make the bright and tangy Italian hot giardiniera.
Its bright and spicy flavour in flavour and crunchy texture are a result of its marinating in a zesty mixture of vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and Italian herbs.
Hot italian giardiniera, a common pickle or salad dish in Italian cooking, gives sandwiches, platters, and even stand-alone side dishes a flavourful boost. Its roots are in northern Italy, where pickled vegetables were a useful technique to preserve the harvest and improve the flavour of winter dishes.
Also Read: Italian plum cake recipe
How to make Hot italian giardiniera recipe
The recipe is given below, along with a detailed ingredient list and instructions for each step, but first, let’s review the basic concepts.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Serves: 10
About the Hot italian giardiniera recipe
The Hot italian giardiniera recipe is popular in Northern Italy, especially in areas like Lombardy and Veneto, where giardiniera first appeared.
Given that it uses a wide range of fresh garden veggies, its name—which comes from the Italian word “giardino,” which means “garden”—reflects this.Vegetables were originally preserved using this centuries-old technique of pickling them in vinegar and oil to guarantee a supply of vegetables throughout the winter.
With time, giardiniera became a well-liked condiment and appetiser because of its crunchy texture and zesty, spicy flavours.
Health Benefits
- Hot italian giardiniera can be high in sodium due to the brining process and the use of olives.
- Giardiniera is perfect to pair with your lunch and dinner meals.
- The carbohydrates in Italian giardiniera come mostly from the vegetables and added sugar.
- The fibre content helps in digestion and provides some health benefits.
- Hot italian giardiniera contains various vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and calcium
Also Read: Mango pickle recipe | Aam Ka Aachar
Ingredients you’ll need for this recipe
Cauliflower: Cauliflower is a nutritious vegetable with a crisp, neutral feel. It’s a mainstay in many pickled vegetable mixtures because of its mild flavour, which makes it absorb the brine well.
Carrots: Carrots give a crunchy and delicious touch. Their colour enhances the giardiniera’s visual appeal, while their natural sugars temper the vinegar’s acidity.
Celery: Celery adds a slightly bitter taste and a unique, fresh crunch. It provides a depth of complexity to the flavour profile and goes well with the other vegetables.
Bell peppers: These colourful peppers have a pleasant, delicious flavour. They are a striking visual element in the mixture and contribute to the overall texture.
Green Olives: In contrast to the sweetness of the carrots and the acidity of the vinegar, the olives’ savoury, saline flavour is enhanced. They give the mixture a new texture as well.
Pepperoncini peppers: The mild, tart pepperoncini peppers offer a hint of spice along with a somewhat fruity tang. Without dominating the giardiniera, they add to its overall spicy flavour. A softer substitute might be banana peppers.
Dried Thyme, Basil, and Oregano: These herbs are frequently used in Mediterranean cooking and have a warm, earthy scent. Thyme lends a faint woodsy aroma, and oregano and basil add a somewhat sweet and spicy flavour.
White vinegar: Vinegar made from white wine is a gentler and somewhat sweeter vinegar than distilled or apple cider vinegar. It gives the veggies the acidity they need to pickle and aids in their preservation.
Olive Oil: The flavours of the herbs and spices are carried throughout the giardiniera and are added with a rich, silky texture. By forming a barrier that keeps air from reaching the vegetables, it also aids in the preservation process.
Salt and sugar: salt is important for the giardiniera flavour; salt helps vegetables to absorb the brine; and sugar will balance the overall flavours of vinegar and salt.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cauliflower florets
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 1 cup sliced celery
- 1 cup sliced bell peppers (any colour)
- 1 cup green olives (pitted)
- 1 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers (or banana peppers)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 1/2 cups white wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
How to make Hot italian giardiniera recipe?
Instructions:
1. Get the vegetables ready: Cook the celery, carrots, and cauliflower florets for two to three minutes in boiling water. Quickly drain and chill in ice water. After draining, set away.
2. Prepare the brine: In a pot, add the vinegar, sugar, salt, olive oil, and water. Once the sugar and salt are completely dissolved, heat over medium heat. After turning off the heat, let it cool to room temperature.
3. Put the Jars: Arrange the chopped garlic, olives, pepperoncini peppers, and veggies in layers inside sterilised jars. In between the layers, add the dry herbs and red pepper flakes.
4. Add brine: make sure that all of the packed vegetables are mixed together by pouring the cooled brine over them. Each jar’s top should have a tiny opening left.
5. Refrigerate and seal: Using a fresh cloth, wipe the jar rims to get rid of any leftovers. Refrigerate after closing the lids. While the Italian giandiniera can be consumed after around 24 hours, it tastes better after a week.
Serving Suggestions
The Hot italian giardiniera recipe is a delicious one. You can pair Hot italian giardiniera with a variety of things.
Add it to sandwiches or subs for tangy and delicious crunchy flavours.
Serve it into salads for extra flavour and spice.
Pasta Salad: Mix into Italian pasta salads for a burst of flavour.
You can use it as a topping on pizza or a burger for added zest and pickled flavour.
Serve it alongside cheeses; pair it with grilled chicken and meats for a healthier meal.
Tacos: Use it as a topping for tacos for extra crunch and flavor. These serving suggestions will enhance the overall dining experience for you.
Serve the Hot italian giardiniera recipe with your favourite meals for better taste and lavor. I hope this Hot italian giardiniera recipe is a memorable one for you. Enjoy!
Storage suggestions
Store in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours to allow the flavours to combine. The Hot italian giardiniera will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 weeks. Transfer the Hot italian giardiniera in an airtight jar. Store it in the refrigerator for about 2-3 weeks; it will maintain its quality and flavour. Enjoy an amazing and delicious Hot italian Giardiniera recipe at home.
