Sweet and Sour Pickled Fennel
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Description
One of the things that I love about our trips to Italy is sampling the various items that my husband's relatives have conserved from their gardens. Finocchi (fennel) in agrodolce (sour-sweet) is one of them! It can be served either as a side dish (contorno) or as a accompaniment to an aperitif. Jars can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to 1 year. Any jars that didn't seal should be placed in the refrigerator and consumed within 2 weeks.
Ingredients
- 1 pound fennel bulbs, cored and sliced
- 3 cups water
- 2 cups white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- ½ cup turbinado cane sugar
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Directions
- 1. Inspect 2 jars for cracks and rings for rust, discarding any defective ones. Immerse in simmering water until fennel is ready. Wash new, unused lids and rings in warm, soapy water.
- 2. Place sliced fennel in a colander and rinse well.
- 3. Combine water, vinegar, and salt in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the fennel, sugar, olive oil, and chives; stir to combine. Bring back to a boil and cook for 3 minutes.
- 4. Remove fennel from the cooking liquid with a slotted spoon and pack into sterilized jars. Fill the jars with the hot cooking liquid, leaving 1/2-inch head space. Wipe the tops of the jars with a clean cloth. Place lids on the jars and tighten.
- 5. Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil and lower jars 2 inches apart into the boiling water using a holder. Pour in more boiling water to cover jars by at least 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, and process for 15 minutes.
- 6. Remove the jars from the stockpot with a jar lifter and let rest on a kitchen towel, several inches apart, for 12 to 24 hours. Press the center of each lid with a finger to ensure the lid does not move up or down. Remove the rings for storage and store in a cool, dark area for 1 week before consuming.
Nutrition Facts
serving: 8 servings
calories: 119.5 kcal
carbohydrates: 8.4 g
protein: 0.8 g
saturated fat: 1.3 g
sodium: 758.6 mg
fiber: 1.8 g
sugar: 4.3 g