Mexican Refrigerator Pickled Vegetables - Pickled Things Recipe Theme

This is a Mexican pickled vegetable recipe which is much different from a traditional pickled vegetable recipe.  The secret ingredient is Mexican Oregano. Mexican Oregano (Poliomintha longiflora), not to be confused with Cuban Oregano or Cuban Thyme which is a succulent, this is a leafy herb the looks more like tarragon than oregano. Although not a true oregano, Mexican oregano is native to Mexico, Guatemala and parts of South America. Lavender flowers bloom from summer to fall. The leaves have a spicy flavor that many gourmet chefs prefer. Placing whole branches over hot charcoal impart incredible flavor to grilled foods. We have a Secret Recipe DIY Refrigerator Pickles, but it has our special pickling spice, not Mexican Oregano. 

From this seasoning, which is a great companion to hot and spicy, you can make great pickled vegetables.

Mexican Refrigerator Pickled Vegetables  (Verduras en Escabeche)

3 Tablespoons vegetable oil

12 cloves garlic

1 cup sliced carrots

1 cup small cauliflower sections

8 jalapenos and 4 serranos, slit vertically down one side

1 large onion, sliced vertically

1 cup mild vinegar: cider, white wine, or herb-flavored

1 cup water

2 bay leaves

2 whole cloves

3 Tablespoons dried Mexican oregano

6 peppercorns

2 teaspoons kosher salt

Directions:

Heat oil and add garlic. Sauté until garlic turns golden and remove from oil. Add carrots to hot oil; cook two minutes then add cauliflower, chiles and onion. Continue to cook & stir for about two more minutes - keep veggies crisp.

Add cooked garlic back in along with vinegar, water, and spices. Bring to boil then remove from heat. Transfer veggies and liquid to a clean, hot jar. Let cool and cover. Let develop overnight in the fridge. The oil will cloud up, so let sit for 10 minutes at room temp before serving.

RECIPE THEME

Each month a theme is chosen and a number of recipes on that theme from my massive archive will be shared.  This year we have 12 new topics, different from the topics of last year.  To find the recipes of last year, check out this recipe link or search the blog with the topic Recipe2018, or Recipe2019 

You can search the monthly theme by looking for the theme keyword in the search box and it will pull up the recipes on that theme as posted, so look at the bottom of the recipe in each posting for the KEYWORD in the () to search for each  month.  All recipes this year will be tagged Recipe2020 so you can find them all.

The themes are:

Feb 2020 - Footbal Tailgate Favorites (AppFeb)

March 2020 - Kabobs (KabobMar)

April 2020 - Brunch (BrunchApr) more in 2021 also

May 2020 - Non-Traditional Pizza (PizzaMay)

June 2020 - Stir Fry Dishes (StirJun)

July 2020 - Salads with no lettuce (SaladJul)

August 2020 - Pickled things (PickleAug)

September 2020 - Quiche (QuicheSep)

October 2020 - Squash Soups (SquashOct)

November 2020 - Pumpkin (again) (PumpNov)

December 2020 - Turkey Recipes (TurkDec)