Spicy Pickled Green Beans

Spicy is good!  Pickled is good!  Green beans are good!  So, what could possible not be good about spicy pickled green beans?!

Photo via Paula Jean

Ingredients

2 cups water
2 cups white vinegar
3 tablespoons kosher salt
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons thinly sliced garlic (about 8 cloves)
8 fresh dill sprigs
4 small dried hot red chiles (or 2 large--I had a hard time finding small dried chiles locally)
1-2 tablespoons crushed red pepper (depending on how spicy you prefer)
1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed

Preparation

Combine first 4 ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a boil
Remove from heat
Add garlic, dill, peppers and crushed red peppers to pan
Let stand for 1 minute
Pour vinegar mixture over beans in a large glass bowl
Cover and refrigerate for 5-ish days, stirring occasionally

Recipe modified from Cooking Light, November 2009

Transfer beans and pickling juice (I remove the dill) to jars and enjoy with a charcuterie plate, in a Bloody Mary, or simply by themselves.  Or tie a ribbon on the jar and take it to your next summer BBQ as a hostess gift.

This recipe is SO easy and the beans are SO good!  Enjoy!