what is italian relish

Giardiniera is an Italian preparation of marinated vegetables that has many uses. This Chicago Style Hot Giardiniera Relish uses diced vegetables and ample hot peppers to create a tangy and spicy topping for sandwiches, hot dogs, and more.

what is italian relish

What Is The Difference Between Italian Giardiniera and Chicago Giardiniera?

So, we know the first difference between Italian giardiniera and Chicago giardiniera: the vegetables.

Another big difference between Chicago and Italian giardiniera is the brine that is used to marinate and season the vegetables.

Chicago style giardiniera is made with a mix of oil and vinegar. The ratio of oil to vinegar all depends on who is making the giardiniera and how tangy they like it.

Traditional Italian giardiniera is a way of preserving summer produce by pickling, so it uses only vinegar (no oil).

what is italian relish

What Is Giardiniera?

Unless you grew up in Chicago or you have an obsession with Italian Beef Sandwiches, you’ve probably never heard of giardiniera the way Chicagoans talk about it.

If you’re in Chicago, when they talk about giardiniera, they’re referring to a flavorful vegetable garnish that can be put on anything from sandwiches to eggs, and much more!

You typically find Chicago giardiniera in two version: hot and mild.

The spicy version that we’re sharing today is commonly referred to as “hot mix”. The “mix” can vary depending on where it is served, but the concept is always the same: slightly tangy vegetables that add a great pop of flavor to your dish.

what is italian relish

HOMEMADE Chicago-Style Giardiniera (Italian Pickle Condiment)

FAQ

What is the name of the Italian relish?

Giardiniera (/dʒɑːrdɪˈnjɛərə/, Italian: [dʒardiˈnjɛːra]) is an Italian relish of pickled vegetables in vinegar or oil.

What is giardiniera made of?

Chicago-style giardiniera is a medley of chopped vegetables—most commonly, cauliflower, carrots, bell peppers, celery, and chile peppers—joined together and preserved in a two-step process: First, they’re pickled vinega and then they’re marinated in olive oil.

Is giardiniera just a Chicago thing?

At its most basic, giardiniera is an Italian method of pickling an assortment of vegetables in a vinegar brine. This tradition made its way to Chicago in the mid-to-late 19th century with a surge of Italian immigrants to the area, many of whom hailed from the island of Sicily.

What is giardiniera sauce made of?

Giardiniera, which is Italian for “gardener,” is a colorful and crunchy mixture typically made with cauliflower, peppers, celery and carrots. It’s commonly found on supermarket shelves with the pickled peppers, and is used on Italian beef and muffuletta sandwiches as well as antipasto plates.

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