Smart snacking

Spicy & sweet pickled veggies in no time



Make extra and give as a gift

Time to swap out your salty potato chip craving with this irresistible healthy snack. Giardiniera is an Italian mix of pickled veggies from the garden that are packed in vinegar and/ oil. I skip the oil to keep this crisp & punchy snack as healthy as possible. The steps to making this condiment are simple. Wash & chop any mix of crunchy veggies that you desire. Bring a saucepan of water, white vinegar and few spices to a boil. Add prepped veggies to the saucepan. Bring the liquid back to a boil. Remove saucepan from heat and let the mixture come to room temp before storing in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Help put your salty food cravings to rest with this versatile, low-cal snack/condiment that you won't regret munching on. Give it a try in salads, on a holiday relish platter (yes those still exist in some families), on sandwiches, as a pizza topping or even in scrambled eggs.

Crunchy Pickled Veggies with a Kick

Ingredients:
2 1/2 c. white vinegar
2 1/2 c. water
1 tbsp. kosher salt
2 tbsp. sugar
1 bay leaf
3 cloves
2 teaspoons celery seeds
2 stalks celery, halved and quartered lengthwise
2 carrots, peeled, halved and quartered lengthwise (or 10 baby carrots)
1/2 head of cauliflower, core removed and separated into small florets
1/2 yellow onion, halved, peeled & quartered lengthwise
2 Serrano chilies, stems trimmed and halved (remove the seeds for less heat)
1/2 cucumber, halved lengthwise & quartered (cut off the seeds)
1/2 orange bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
Handful of green beans, stems trimmed

Directions:
1. Combine the vinegar through celery seeds in a medium/large saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the remaining ingredients and bring back to a boil. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature.
2. Transfer to a container with a tight fitted lid. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Makes about 3 quarts

Recipe adapted from Mad Hungry Cravings