Spring Giardiniera

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 cups small cauliflower florets
• 2 cups (3-inch) diagonally cut asparagus
• 1 1/2 cups green beans, trimmed (about 8 ounces)
• 1 cup (1/4-inch) diagonally cut carrot
• 1 cup red bell pepper strips
• 6 green onion bottoms, trimmed
• 4 garlic cloves, halved

Preparation

1. Combine first 8 ingredients in a large Dutch oven. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 3 minutes. Arrange cauliflower and remaining ingredients in a large heavy-duty zip-top plastic bag. Carefully pour vinegar mixture over cauliflower mixture.
2. Seal bag and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight, turning occasionally. Remove vegetables from bag with a slotted spoon. Discard bay leaves.