These pickled vegetables take 10 minutes to prep and are ready to eat after 24 hours. I made pickled carrots and parsnips, but you can use any veggies!
1or 2 extra large raw carrotspeeled and sliced into 4-inch by 1/2-inch spears*
1or 2 large raw parsnipspeeled and sliced into 4-inch by 1/2-inch spears (I did not ‘core’ the parsnip, I used the whole thing)
2cupsgranulated sugar
2cupswhite distilled vinegar
4tablespoonsSalt-Free Citrus Pepper Blendor a favorite all-purpose or grill seasoning blend, divided**
2tablespoonsdry yellow mustard grainsdivided
saltoptional and to taste
Instructions
Place trimmed and sliced carrot spears in one glass jar and parsnips in another glass jar (or mingle them, if preferred); set jars aside. My jars were very well-packed and very stuffed; I couldn’t fit in any more spears.
In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and vinegar and heat over medium heat to dissolve sugar, stirring constantly. Allow mixture to come to a boil and then shut the heat off.
Pour the mixture over the vegetables, divided equally, or until the liquid comes up to nearly to the top of the jar. I find it’s easiest to pour the vinegar-sugar mixture into a heat-safe, large, glass measuring cup rather than trying to pour from a saucepan directly over the vegetables since more seems to spill onto the counter than get into the jars.
Add 2 tablespoons citrus pepper blend and 1 tablespoon mustard to each jar. If adding salt, add it to each jar, to taste.
Seal jars and shake gently to disperse spices.
Allow jars to cool on counter before transferring to the refrigerator. Do not put hot glass jars into a cold refrigerator, they could crack. Vegetables will be ‘ready’ after about 2 hours, but the full effect of the pickling will set in about 48 hours later. Vegetables will keep refrigerated in jars for many weeks; let common sense and your tastebuds be your guide.
Notes
*Try using other vegetables such as cauliflower, beets, turnips, rutabagas, cucumber, or firmer vegetables. **Think outside the box and add spices and seasoning blends like Jerk seasoning, chipotle seasoning, mesquite grill seasoning, or Indian spices, garlic or onions; add fresh herbs like dill or thyme to the jars.