How to Make Killer Giardiniera (Italian Hot Pepper Relish)

Giardiniera acts as a sauce or garnish for meat dishes.

Add a flavorful kick to any dish with giardiniera or hot pepper relish. This Italian dish can be made in bulk in less than an hour. It can be eaten alone as a snack, as a dip for chips or vegetables, on sausage sandwiches, French dips, pasta dishes or on your pizza. There is no written rule on what you can eat giardiniera on once you try it you can decide what dishes to use it in conjunction with.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 3 cups red bell peppers
• 1 cup yellow bell pepper
• 8 jalapeno peppers
• 2 cups onions
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup olive oil
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 tsp. mustard seed
• 2 tsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. oregano
• 1 tbsp. basil
• 1 to 2 tsp. crushed red pepper
• 3 mason jars or lidded, plastic containers
• Saucepan

1. Chop the red and yellow bell peppers, and onions. The pieces of bell peppers and onions should be about 1/4 inch in size. Slice the jalapenos to about a 1/4 inch. Put them all in a saucepan.

2. Place the white vinegar and olive oil into the saucepan.

3. Bring the mixture in the saucepan to a simmer.

4. Slowly stir in the sugar, mustard seed, salt, oregano, basil and red pepper flakes.

5. Stir the mixture occasionally and cook for about 1 hour, until the peppers have softened. The yield should be about 4 cups, if it is more than that it needs to continue cooking.

6. Let the relish cool if you are going to store it in the refrigerator. You can also use it in your dishes while it is hot. Giardiniera will keep in mason jars or plastic containers for a month if refrigerated.

References

• Yummly: Hot Pepper Relish Recipe
• Yummly: Hot Italian Giardiniera Recipe