Pickled Vegetables for Salads and Sandwiches

Ingredients

• 2 cup water (for the liquid base)
• 2 cup vinegar (for the liquid base)
• 2 garlic (cloves)
• 2 tbsp sugar (indicated as 2 tbsp)
• 0.5 tbsp salt (indicated as 1/2 tbsp)
• black pepper (peppercorns, to taste)
• 1 carrot (small, cut into sticks)
• 1 cabbage (a small piece, preferably purple, thinly sliced)
• 1 red onion (very thinly sliced, divided between the two jars)
• 1 zucchini (half sliced into rounds and the other half into sticks)
• mustard seeds (optional, for the salad jar)
• 1 cucumber (small, cut into thin slices)
• thyme (fresh, for the sandwich jar)
• bay leaf (leaves, for the sandwich jar)

Steps

1. 1

   In a pot, combine the 2 cups of water, 2 cups of vinegar, 2 cloves of garlic, 2 tbsp of sugar, 1/2 tbsp of salt, and the peppercorns.

2. 2

   Heat the mixture over low heat until very hot but not boiling. Set aside.

3. 3

   While the liquid is heating, prepare the vegetables: thinly slice the cucumber and half of the zucchini into rounds. Cut the other half of the zucchini and the carrot into sticks. Very thinly slice the red onion and cabbage.

4. 4

   Prepare the first jar (for sandwiches and toast): layer the cucumber, sliced zucchini, and red onion. Add the bay leaves and thyme sprigs between the layers.

5. 5

   Prepare the second jar (for salads and wraps): layer the cabbage, carrot, zucchini sticks, and red onion. Add the mustard seeds.

6. 6

   Press the vegetables down firmly in the jars to fit as much as possible.

7. 7

   Pour the hot liquid mixture into the jars to the top, ensuring all vegetables are completely covered.

8. 8

   Let cool and store in the refrigerator. Although it can be consumed after a couple of hours, the flavor improves the longer it sits.

Notes

The key is to assemble the jars in layers so that the seasoning is distributed evenly. White onion can be used instead of red and white cabbage instead of purple if necessary.

Nutrition per serving

• side dish
• vegetarian
• vegan
• preserves
• pickles
• healthy
• gluten-free