Gardiniere

Ingredients

3 bell peppers
2 banana peppers
2 slices onions
1 buttercup squash
3 cauliflower
2 c waxed beans
1 c chinese radish
6 carrots
2 celery stalks
1 1/2 c pickling salt sweet basil sprigs vegetable oil
4 garlic
2 ts mustard seeds
3 1/2 c water
1/2 c vinegar
5/8 c sugar

Instructions

Mix together the vegetables & layer in a large bowl. Sprinkle each layer with salt. Pour in just enough water to cover. Place a plate on top to keep the vegetables submerged. Cover & refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Drain, rinse in several changes of water & drain again. Meanwhile, place 4 sprigs of basil in a small jar. Add whole garlic & just enough oil to cover. Cover tightly & refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Prepare pickling brine by boiling the water, vinegar & sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring till the sugar is dissolved & then keep hot until ready to use. Sterilize 4 500mL canning jars. In each one, place a basil sprig, garlic clove & 1/2 ts mustard seeds. Without forcing, pack the vegetables into the jars leaving 3/4" headspace. Pour pickling brine into each jar up to 1/2" of the top. Remove any air bubbles by sliding a rubber spatula around the edge of the jar; wipe rims & fir lids. Process in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes. Remove, cool, label & store.