Chicago-Style Hot Giardiniera

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. + chilling

Makes

8 cups

Updated: Nov. 08, 2022
I've been living in Chicago for the last 12 years and have grown to love the spicy giardiniera served at restaurants. So I developed my own to use at home. We love it on everything from eggs to sandwiches and even pizza! —Andrea Quiroz, Chicago, Illinois
Chicago-Style Hot Giardiniera Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1 small head cauliflower, broken into small florets (about 5 cups)
  • 2 celery ribs, chopped
  • 1 medium carrot, chopped
  • 4 jalapeno peppers, sliced
  • 4 serrano peppers, sliced
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup canola oil
  • 1 jar (10 ounces) small pimiento-stuffed olives, drained

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, toss cauliflower, celery, carrot and peppers with salt. Add cold water to cover. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
  2. Drain vegetables; rinse with cold water and drain again. In a large nonreactive bowl, whisk vinegar, garlic, oregano and pepper flakes. Gradually whisk in oil until blended. Add olives and drained vegetables; toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, overnight to allow flavors to blend.
  3. Transfer mixture to jars. Cover and refrigerate up to 3 weeks.
Peppers (Hot)
Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Nutrition Facts

1/4 cup: 80 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 174mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.