Monday, November 20, 2006

Fall in a Ball Jar

I am so pleased with the looks of this. Just so pleased.
It's nothing more than a jar of seasonal vegetables covered with a very simple brine of vinegar and salt and water. The flavor will come from the vegetables themselves, as well as the two cloves of garlic, some slices of hot chile peppers and a couple of bay leaves.
But the beauty comes from Cranky's inspired shopping. I had planned to just use some prosaic carrots from the crisper drawer, but he spotted these miniature beauties in shades of autumn at the market. It was also his idea to use green and orange cauliflowers, and he searched hard to find a purple one, too. As I look at the assembled gems, though, I think it's just as well he didn't find one.
OK, what else? Cut-up green beans and a few wedges of white onion.
Layer vegetables into the jar, adding garlic and bay leaves and chile slices here and there. Pour not-quite-hot brine mixture (you dissolve the salt in near-simmering water and then add vinegar) over the vegetables. This step is meant to just blanch the vegetables to a tender-crunch). Let cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate for — I don't know, a week? I'm going to be tasting it daily, though, to determine whether the chiles need to be removed. Oh, and I wouldn't be surprised if some of it ends up in the Thanksgiving relish tray in a few days.

23 comments:

anni said...

Mmmmmm...Crudite-in-a-jar...got sausage?

Tootles,
Anni :-)

Kalyn Denny said...

Just lovely. Perfect for the relish tray.

Anonymous said...

Pwetty!

Really, gorgeous.

Anita (Married... with dinner) said...

wowsa! that's a beautiful jar, and a lovely photo.

Anonymous said...

that is pure art.

Greg said...

Outstanding!I bet it tastes as good as it looks.

Abby said...

Beautiful. So Thanksgiving-y, too!

Anonymous said...

I so want to make this and here I am with no refrigerator. The wonders of technology! Mine died for the second time in two months all because of "electronic problems". When does the ice man cometh? I would prefer low tech to no cold.

But as soon as things are back up and running I want to try your lovely giardina --- I even have the right jar. Maybe I can do it for Christmas.

Catherine said...

that does look lovely! love those colorful cauliflower!

Robyn said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I am trying this for certain. My husband loves pivkled veggies and your selection looks great. I also included you in my "what to do for Thanksgiving meal" post at my blog. Thanks fo rthe recipe!

cookiecrumb said...

Oh, gosh, thanks, everyone. I was inordinately proud, and I love your ego-tweaks. Er, well, no. I was already pretty ego-tronic.
But really, thanks.
:D !!!

Stacie said...

Yum "from the garden"! I have been heavily bustin in to my pickled hot peppers.... mmmm... vinegar!!

Dagny said...

You have the prettiest pictures. It's a good thing that I have managed to eat before viewing this one.

Ilva said...

Cranky is a bijoux! But listen here CC, the proportions of salt and vinegar to the water?????????

Anonymous said...

I just read your profile, where you say your industry is "agriculture".

Have you considered running for office?

cookiecrumb said...

Oh, hell, Ilva. Um. More water. Poco salt. Then some vinegar. You know me -- I just wing it.
Here's a proportion I found on the web that seems perfectly reasonable:
2 cups white vinegar
6 cups water
1/3 cup kosher salt

cookiecrumb said...

KathyF: Yes! I have. But I am such a lazy bastard. I'll let Tester and the other brave, motivated Americans who make me proud handle the heavy loads. You are cute.

Anonymous said...

You are drunk.

(But not too drunk to get where I was going with that!Tester rocks! Hey! A new drink?)

Kevin said...

CC,
It is like a jar filled with gems.

cookiecrumb said...

KathyF: I raise my glass (of local apple cider) to you.

Kevin: And it's a brand-new day, so I get to taste it again. (You know, just checking on the seasoning.) Yup, it's purty.

Jennifer Maiser said...

Gah! This is beautiful. I think I should be getting the photo lessons from you. :)

cookiecrumb said...

Thanks, Jen. It was a lucky collision of beautiful food and managing not to jiggle.

cookiecrumb said...

Go, Carter! Pick out something really pretty. I've been tasting mine, and it's basically done, after just four days.