RECIPE: Spicy Pickled Green Beans

Adapted from Martha Stewart

Ingredients:

Coarse salt

1 pound green beans, trimmed

1.5 cups distilled white vinegar

2 garlic cloves

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Procedure:

1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil; add salt. Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Cook beans until just tender, about 3 minutes. Immediately transfer with tongs to the ice-water bath. Drain well, and transfer to a large bowl.
2. Bring 1.5 cups water, the vinegar, 1.5 tablespoons salt, the garlic, and the cayenne to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat; simmer 4 minutes. Pour brine over beans. Let cool completely, about 30 minutes. Transfer to airtight containers; refrigerate at least 1 week (pickles will keep 3 weeks more).

Submitted by Ann Tilley