Giardaneira

[MarciaTJ]

Am I the only person who is in love with Giardaneira? I buy mine form cotscos in those big jars, but I swear I can eat through 1 jar in two days. I have made my own as well from Cooking Light's recipe which was yummy as well. But what an easy, low fat food. I need to snack when I work and I find that this is the perfect snack. I can eat it with my fingers ( a no no when you are dieting, but oh well) and not feel guilty. I just found this treat last year and it keeps me so happy.

Anyone else?

[VictoriaL]

feel like a bit of an idiot for asking, but here goes....
What exactly IS Giardaneria? Sounds intriguing....

[wallycat]

I'm not sure what it is either...
I'm embarassed to say I thought this post would be about a parasite :o :o :o :eek: :o

[MarciaTJ]

Giardeniera is a mix of pickled vegetables, typically, cauliflower, carrots, red peppers, stringbeans and pepperoncini peppers in a vinegary mixture. I am not sure if this sounds really tasty but it is. Plus it is a fat free, cholestorol free food.

[Terrytx]

Here is CL's version, and it got lots of good reviews


* Exported from MasterCook *

Spring Guardiniera

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Appetizers & Snacks Vegetables


Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
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 cloves garlic, halved

Combine the 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.

Seal bag and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight, turning occasionally. Remove vegetables from bag with a slotted spoon. Discard bay leaves.

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 cup) 57 cal, 0.3g fat, 3.2g pro, 12.8g carb, 4.7g fiber, 0mg chol, 1.5mg iron, 141mg sod, 55mg calc.

Description:
"Giardiniera is great to prepare ahead and have available. It can be
a perfect vegetable side or a fabulous snack."
Source:
"Cooking Light-5/02"

[Gracie]

Originally posted by wallycat
I'm not sure what it is either...
I'm embarassed to say I thought this post would be about a parasite :o :o :o :eek: :o

Yes, I, too, thought it was about Giardia...:rolleyes:

Loren

[keeganm]

This is so funny that you mention this since I saw it the other day in the grocery store and decided to try it since I'm trying to do WW and I'm always looking for those no point things to munch on during the day. I gotta say too, that I think I'm getting addicted, and you can't beat the no fat no calorie thing either! :D

[MarciaTJ]

I am on WW too and it is perfect with the points - finally a really tasty snack!

[shscharles]

OK so it's not on WW but chopped into a pasta salad is another wonderful way to use Giardaniera. We also like it chopped and spread on cold cut sandwiches!

Uh Oh, gonna have to stop on the way home to get some!

[Terrytx]

I finally got around to making the CL version and I am in love! I think I could sit and eat this all day.

[SusanL]

Is there a lot of sodium in it? (the jarred kind)I love it also!!

[Pico]

I've seen this stuff, but always been a little repulsed by it. (Sort of reminds me of biology specimens preserved in formaldehyde. :rolleyes: ) I think I may have to try it now... watch I become an addict, too!

BTW, SusanL, I'd bet it's high in sodium. All the pickled veggies (i.e., cukes, peppers) I've had are--but that's what makes them good!

[BarbaraL]

Hmmm, it's good on the Weight Watcher plan? I guess I always thought the marinade contained oil, so I've avoided it. Have to read those labels . . .

Good timing . . . DD had a friend over yesterday, who said incredulously to DD "Do you know that they can pickle other things than pickles? All sorts of vegetables, even cabbage!" DD informed her that "pickled" cabbage was saurkrat (one of DD's favorite foods) - her friend was amazed that she was so well informed.

[Chocolate Rose]

I totally love this stuff, too!! In fact, I've made it 4 times in the last 5 weeks.:D I just had some with my lunch and there is enough left for maybe two more days. I've never cared for the store bought stuff but I love the CL recipe. I usually leave out the asparagus and add more of each of the other veggies.

[memartha]

Rachael Ray loves the stuff... she uses it in a few recipes in her cookbook. I used to love it but my tummy didn't. :(

[maizeyoats]

Originally posted by VictoriaL
feel like a bit of an idiot for asking, but here goes....
What exactly IS Giardaneria? Sounds intriguing....
I didn't know what it was either. I thought maybe it was one of the flowers in my garden that I couldn't identify......well, not as bad a guess as parasites; even so it doesn't sound appealing to me.

[fci5767]

That recipe looks delicious. It never occurred me that you could actually make giardaneria at home. I'm not sure why but the recipe looks easy enough. I'm going to make it this weekend after I visit the farmer's market. I can't wait.

[alicerh]

This is wonderful and I am so glad you reminded me of it, I'll be making it tomorrow! It's from The Best of Thymes by Marge Clark. This is a fabulous herb cookbook which I highly recommend.
Alice

Giardiniera

1 small head cauliflower, broken into large flowerets
3-4 med carrots, cut into large chunks
1 small head broccoli, broken into flowerets
handful fresh green beans, stemmed
2 med zucchini, sliced in half lengthwise
1 med. red onion, sliced
large pieces of red, yellow and green peppers
celery pieces cut into 2 inch pieces
peperoncini
black olives
green olives
fresh thyme sprigs
dill garlic or another herb vinegar ( or apple cider vinegar)
optional: drained capers, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper flakes
large clean glass jar which has been sterilized with boiling water ) about 2 liter or half-gallon size)

Bring large pot of water to a boil. Add cauliflower and carrots and boil for 3 min. lift out and plunge into ice water. Now add broccoli and green beans and blanch no more than 1 min. Drain and place in ice water. Thoroughly drain these veggies. Clean and prepare all other veggies. Cut cauliflower and broccoli into smaller flowers if desired.

Start packing jar. Stand pieces of zucchini and pieces of pepper around inside of jar. Work rest into jar. Fill jar with vinegar. Refrigerate for at least 2 weeks to develope flavors. Keep refrigerated. Will keep several weeks. Vinegar can be diluted 2 parts vinegar and 1 part water for a milder flavor.

[Chocolate Rose]

Wow!! Another one to try!!:) Thanks for sharing this, Alice!