This hot pepper mixture is a delicious topping for sandwiches, wraps, salads, eggs, and more! It is basically a Chicago-Style giardiniera, which is condiment typically higher in oil, lower in vinegar, and made with smaller pieces of vegetables. Italian style giardiniera tends to be lower in oil (if any at all) and larger chunks, so it is more of a pickled vegetable appetizer or side.
You can adjust the spice level of this recipe. To make it milder, remove some or all of the hot pepper seeds and/or replace some of the hot peppers (especially the serranos) with bell pepper or other veggies like celery.
This recipe is adapted from a recipe on fundiego.com, which intends to replicate the hot pepper mix from a sandwich chain called Potbelly.
Hot Pepper Mix
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound jalapenos quartered and sliced, seeds removed if desired
- 1/2 pound serrano peppers quartered and sliced, seeds removed if desired
- 1 cup cauliflower cut into tiny florets
- 2 carrots peeled and finely chopped
- 1/3 cup salt
- 1 cup canola oil or other neutral flavored oil
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
Instructions
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Combine jalapenos, serrano peppers, cauliflower, and carrots in a medium bowl or container. Sprinkle the salt over the vegetables, then add enough water to cover everything. Stir to disperse the salt. Cover and refrigerate for 12 hours.
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Drain and rinse the vegetables.
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In a medium non-reactive bowl (such as glass, stainless steel, or ceramic) combine the remaining ingredients. Add the vegetables and stir to combine. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2 days to allow the flavors to combine.
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Optional: transfer the hot pepper mixture to smaller jars, or keep it in the container it marinated in. The pepper mixture should last about 4 weeks in the refrigerator.
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Stir the peppers and allow the excess oil to drain back into the jar when serving. Add the hot pepper mixture to sandwiches, wraps, salads, pizza, eggs, pasta, or whatever else you'd like!
Recipe Notes
To make this recipe less spicy, remove some or all of the seeds from the jalapenos and serrano peppers. You can also substitute bell pepper for and equivalent amount of jalapenos or serrano peppers.
You can add other ingredients such as sliced green olives or chopped celery.
