Homemade Chicago-Style Giardiniera Recipe (Hot Giardiniera) - Chili Pepper Madness

Ingredients

• 1 cup cauliflower florets (chopped (about 1/4 head of cauliflower))
• 5 jalapeno peppers (diced (use bell peppers for mild giardiniera)
• 5 serrano peppers (diced (or use sport peppers - optional, for hot giardiniera))
• 1 medium carrot (diced)
• 2 celery stalks (diced)
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 cup olive oil ((extra virgin is best, though you can use vegetable oil))
• 1 cup vinegar ((or use water, like many Chicago giardiniera brands - see the Recipe Notes))
• 4 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds
• 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper ((or to taste))
• Ground black pepper ((to taste))
• 1/2 cup green olives (chopped)