Naturally Fermented Pickled Vegetable Medley Recipes

NATURALLY PICKLED VEGETABLE MEDLEY

Steps:

• Wash 4 cup (1 L) clip-top glass jar and its sealing ring in hot soapy water. Place cleaned jar and sealing ring in large stock pot, cover with at least 1 1/2 in (4 cm) of water and set over medium heat. Bring water to a simmer and allow jar and ring to sit in simmering water for at least 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, gently toss together carrots, tomatoes, cauliflower, and beans until well combined.
• In small saucepan, create a salt brine by bringing water and salt to a simmer over medium heat. Stir until salt is completely dissolved and then remove saucepan from heat.
• With tongs, carefully remove warm jar and sealing ring from water before placing on wire cooling rack or clean kitchen towel. Place sealing ring around jar lid.
• Pack vegetables into jar before topping with garlic, mustard seeds, caraway seeds, and chili, if using. Pour warm brine over vegetables in jar, ensuring that vegetables are completely submerged. Gently press down on vegetables with spoon to release any air bubbles. You may not use all the brine. If desired, you may place a few rounds of parchment paper or a cabbage leaf over vegetables to ensure they stay submerged in brine. Secure the lid and leave to ferment, out of direct sunlight, for 2 to 4 days.
• Take note that every day you should open the lid and u201cburpu201d your fermentation to release any built-up gas in the jar. Your vegetable medley will be ready when you see bubbles travelling up the jar when itu2019s opened, and the brine has a vinegary smell. Donu2019t worry if the brine becomes cloudy; this is perfectly normal. Once fermented, transfer to refrigerator, where your vegetables will continue to ferment, but at a much slower rate.
• Pickled vegetables will keep refrigerated for up to 3 weeks.

NATURALLY FERMENTED PICKLED VEGETABLE MEDLEY

Steps:

• Wash, trim and chop the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
• Stir the salt into the water, set aside.
• Pack the vegetables, garlic, spices (if using) and 1 torn grape leaf tightly into a clean jar. Carefully pour the brine over the vegetables, leaving 1 inch space at the top. Tuck a grape leaf or cabbage leaf over the vegetables to keep them submerged in the brine, then screw a lid onto the jar.
• Set the jar away from direct sunlight in your kitchen, in a place where it will stay room temperature (it's best between 65 and 80 degrees). Let the vegetables ferment, loosening the jar lids once a day to allow gas to escape and check to ensure that the vegetable are staying submerged in the brine. After 3 days, check to see if they taste sour enough for you...allow them to ferment for up to a week.
• When the vegetables reach the desired flavor, cap them tightly and store them in a cool place (the fridge or a very cool area in the basement or garage). Once they are cool, the fermentation will stop and they'll keep for up to 8 months.

HOT PICKLED VEGETABLE MEDLEY

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, add carrots sprinkle with 1/4 cup of pickling salt and cover with cold water.
• (Keep carrots separate or they will tint the cauliflower orange).
• Add cauliflower and jalapeño peppers in a separate bowl.
• Sprinkle with 3/4 cup pickling salt and cover with cold water.
• Let these set for 1 hour.
• Drain and rinse vegetables.
• Bring brine to a boil.
• Let simmer for 5 minutes.
• Sterilize 14 pint or 7 quart jars and lids.
• Into each hot jar layer the vegetables in order of:.
• Carrots, 2-3 red habanaros, cauliflower and 3-4 green jalapeños.
• (Repeat for quart jars).
• Top with hot brine (stir brine occasionally to distribute the garlic).
• Seal with hot lids and process in a hot water bath for 10 minutes.
• Let set for at least two week before using.