Italian Marinated Vegetable Salad
This marinated vegetable salad recipe is a colorful composed salad inspired by the classic Italian giardiniera. Serve on a platter as is or on a bed of crisp greens. For a heartier appetizer or light lunch, add 1/2 cup each diced salami and hard cheese, such as Provolone or even white Cheddar, to the mix.
Ingredients
- 1 large carrot halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 cups cauliflower florets 1/2 inch
- 1 cup green bean pieces 1/2 inch
- 1 small fennel bulb halved, cored and thinly sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper chopped (1/2 inch)
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper chopped (1/2 inch)
- 2 fresh hot red peppers such as cherry peppers or long Italian peppers, chopped (1/2 inch)
- 2 stalks celery thinly sliced
- ½ cup diced red onion
- ¾ cup cider vinegar
- ¾ cup white vinegar
- ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon celery seed
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ⅓ cup sliced green olives
- 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh dill
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Place a large bowl of ice water next to the stove. Cook carrot, cauliflower and green beans in the boiling water, one vegetable at a time, until just tender, 1 to 3 minutes. Transfer the vegetables to the ice water with a slotted spoon as they are done.
- Drain the vegetables and place in a large, shallow nonreactive bowl (see Tip). Add fennel, bell peppers, hot peppers, celery and onion.
- Combine cider vinegar, white vinegar, 1/2 cup water, sugar, salt, celery seed, basil and oregano in a nonreactive saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 minutes. Pour the hot liquid over the vegetables and gently stir to coat. Let cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally, then refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour. The longer the vegetables marinate, the more flavorful the salad will be.
- To serve, strain the vegetables (reserving the pickling liquid). Return the vegetables and 3 tablespoons of the pickling liquid to the bowl. (Reserve the remaining pickling liquid to pickle more vegetables or to use in a salad dressing, if desired.) Add garlic, olives, parsley, dill and oil to the vegetables; toss to combine. Season with pepper.
Notes
Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Be sure to use a nonreactive pan, baking dish or bowl--stainless-steel, enamel-coated or glass--when cooking with acidic food to prevent the food from reacting with the pan. Reactive pans, such as aluminum and cast-iron, can impart off colors and/or flavors.